FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Leslie than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leslie gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2011.
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 Leslie 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
Strong wind
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 Leslie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leslie, and Leslie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Leslie’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $453K a year in losses across Leslie: $324K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leslie flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leslie, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Leslie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ingham County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leslie
Disasters that paid out in Leslie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Leslie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
Ingham County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Leslie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leslie archive →Get ready for what Leslie 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Leslie
Is Leslie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leslie has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (19%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Leslie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Leslie since 2011, $11K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Leslie 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 Ingham County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Leslie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leslie’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 Leslie?
By FEMA money that reached Leslie, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2023): 11 households applied for aid, $34K approved.
Is Leslie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Leslie’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leslie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leslie’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.