Photo: Ben Jacobson (Kranar Drogin) · CC BY 2.5FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Leaf River Township than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leaf River Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 44 claims here since 1994.
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 Leaf River Township 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Leaf River Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leaf River Township, and Leaf River Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Leaf River Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Leaf River Township: $902K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leaf River Township flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leaf River Township, from FEMA’s records: 84.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms5 claims · $150K
Leaf River Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ogle County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leaf River Township
Disasters that paid out in Leaf River Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Leaf River Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to Leaf River Township for repairs
- 2006Snow$4K to Leaf River Township for repairs
Ogle County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Leaf River Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leaf River Township archive →Leaf River Township and its neighbors
Leaf River Township is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ridott Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Leaf River Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Rockvale Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Byron Township | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Maryland Township | — | 440 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Seward Township | — | 894 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Leaf River Township 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Leaf River Township
Is Leaf River Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leaf River Township has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Leaf River Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Leaf River Township since 1994, $1.1M in all, or 84.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (5).
Is Leaf River Township 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 Ogle County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Leaf River Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leaf River Township’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 Leaf River Township?
By FEMA money that reached Leaf River Township, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $9K to Leaf River Township for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 5 paid, $150K.
Is Leaf River Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Leaf River Township’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leaf River Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leaf River Township’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.