Dr. William E. Reid House · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0On FEMA’s figures, Leesville faces more hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leesville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #54 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 48 claims here since 1982.
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 Leesville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Leesville 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
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.
What’s behind Leesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leesville, and Leesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 25% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C #54 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Leesville’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Leesville has less expected damage per building than 67% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Leesville: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leesville flood? Sometimes: 48 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leesville, from FEMA’s records: 14.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms7 claims · $236K
- Hurricane Juan4 claims · $19K
- Tropical Storm Allison2 claims · $32K
Leesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Vernon Parish.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leesville
Disasters that paid out in Leesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Leesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura5,345 households applied for aid$3.3M aid approved$160K to the City of Leesville for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $12K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding246 households applied for aid$891K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike185 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$61K to the City of Leesville for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav238 households applied for aid$41K aid approved$55K to the City of Leesville for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding52 households applied for aid$80K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Rita7,348 households applied for aid$6.5M aid approved$324K to the City of Leesville for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$24K to the City of Leesville for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$32K to the City of Leesville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Vernon Parish has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Vernon Parish, 2000–2023.
Old photos of Leesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leesville archive →Leesville and its neighbors
Leesville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leesville | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| New Llano | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Fort Johnson South | — | 0 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 Leesville 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.
- 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 Leesville
Is Leesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leesville has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #54 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Leesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 48 claims in Leesville since 1982, $824K in all, or 14.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (7).
Is Leesville 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 Vernon Parish, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Leesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leesville’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 Leesville?
By FEMA money that reached Leesville, Hurricane Rita (2005): 7,348 households applied for aid, $6.5M approved, and $324K to the City of Leesville for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 7 paid, $236K.
Is Leesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Leesville’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leesville’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.