FEMA puts Leakesville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 93% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leakesville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #81 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then river and rain flooding (45%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2009.
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 Leakesville faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Leakesville’s grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leakesville, and Leakesville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #81 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Leakesville’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Mississippi town has higher expected damage than 64% of U.S. towns; within the state, Leakesville has more expected damage per building than 80% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Leakesville: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leakesville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leakesville, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Leakesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leakesville
Disasters that paid out in Leakesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Leakesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Zeta186 households applied for aid$206K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding127 households applied for aid$503K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,185 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan145 households applied for aid$148K aid approved
Greene County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Leakesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leakesville archive →Get ready for what Leakesville faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Leakesville
Is Leakesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leakesville has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #81 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and river and rain flooding (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Leakesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Leakesville since 2009, $20K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Leakesville 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 Greene County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Leakesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leakesville’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 Leakesville?
By FEMA money that reached Leakesville, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 1,185 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved.
Is Leakesville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Leakesville’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leakesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leakesville’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.