Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Leavenworth
Leavenworth isn’t graded for hazard risk: Leavenworth has 397 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 2011.
What Leavenworth 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
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.
Does Leavenworth flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leavenworth, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $111K
Leavenworth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crawford County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leavenworth
Disasters that paid out in Leavenworth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Leavenworth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the Town of Leavenworth for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and$2K to the Town of Leavenworth for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$5K to the Town of Leavenworth for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding33 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$9K to the Town of Leavenworth for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Crawford County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Leavenworth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leavenworth archive →Leavenworth and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jennings Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Leavenworth 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.
- 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 Leavenworth
Does Leavenworth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Leavenworth since 2011, $527K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Leavenworth 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 Crawford County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Leavenworth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leavenworth’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 Leavenworth?
By FEMA money that reached Leavenworth, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 33 households applied for aid, $17K approved, and $9K to the Town of Leavenworth for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $111K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leavenworth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leavenworth’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.