Photo: Melissa Bower · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Leavenworth’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leavenworth gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #8 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 51 claims here since 1981.
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 Leavenworth’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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
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 Leavenworth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leavenworth, and Leavenworth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #8 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Leavenworth’s residents live in 11 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Kansas town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Leavenworth has less expected damage per building than 95% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.7M a year in losses across Leavenworth: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leavenworth flood? Sometimes: 51 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leavenworth, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms2 claims · $88K
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: Leavenworth County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leavenworth
Disasters that paid out in Leavenworth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Leavenworth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Flooding$205K to the City of Leavenworth for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$115K to the City of Leavenworth for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$53K aid approved$92K to the City of Leavenworth for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$2.3M to the City of Leavenworth for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$20K to the City of Leavenworth for repairs
Leavenworth 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
Leavenworth has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leavenworth | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Lansing | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| High Prairie Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Delaware Township | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Kickapoo Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
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.
- 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 Leavenworth
Is Leavenworth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leavenworth has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #8 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Leavenworth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 51 claims in Leavenworth since 1981, $650K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late 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 Leavenworth County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% 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 (2005): $2.3M to the City of Leavenworth for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 2 paid, $88K.
Is Leavenworth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Leavenworth’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
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.