FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in West Lealman than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Lealman gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #486 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 290 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about West Lealman’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Lealman faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind West Lealman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Lealman, and West Lealman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 23%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D #486 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Lealman’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, West Lealman has more expected damage per building than 76% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.0M a year in losses across West Lealman: $5.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Lealman flood? Yes: 290 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Lealman, from FEMA’s records: 32.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene72 claims · $7.6M
- Hurricane Milton54 claims · $4.2M
- Hurricane Elena20 claims · $59K
West Lealman isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pinellas County.The storms West Lealman remembers
None of the 32 disasters declared for Pinellas County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Lealman itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 2024131 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Milton, declared for Pinellas County
- 197955 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Pinellas County
- 198521 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Elena, declared for Pinellas County
Pinellas County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pinellas County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of West Lealman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Lealman archive →West Lealman and its neighbors
West Lealman is 6th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Petersburg | C+more damage than 61% | hurricanes | 13,766 |
| Pinellas Park | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 651 |
| Bay Pines | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 97 |
| Seminole | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 162 |
| Kenneth City | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| West Lealman | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 290 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what West Lealman faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in West Lealman
Is West Lealman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Lealman has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #486 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Lealman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 290 claims in West Lealman since 1979, $12.9M in all, or 32.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (72).
Is West Lealman in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Pinellas County, 19.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in West Lealman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Lealman’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in West Lealman?
By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 72 paid, $7.6M.
Is West Lealman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and West Lealman’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Lealman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Lealman’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.