Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Leland as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leland gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #36 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then earthquakes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1979.
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 Leland 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
Earthquakes
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 Leland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leland, and Leland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 19% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #36 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Leland’s residents live in 2 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, Leland has less expected damage per building than 65% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Leland: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leland flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leland, from FEMA’s records: 12.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gustav3 claims · $26K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $85K
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $36K
Leland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leland
Disasters that paid out in Leland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Leland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm556 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding97 households applied for aid$130K aid approved$843 to the City of Leland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav82 households applied for aid$181K aid approved$11K to the City of Leland for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $26K
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$68K to the City of Leland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1998Severe Winter Storms, Ice and Freezing Rain$51K to the City of Leland for repairs
Washington County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Leland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leland archive →Get ready for what Leland 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Leland
Is Leland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leland has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #36 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and earthquakes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Leland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Leland since 1979, $634K in all, or 12.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Gustav (3).
Is Leland 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 Washington County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Leland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leland’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 Leland?
By FEMA money that reached Leland, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 556 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Gustav: 3 paid, $26K.
Is Leland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Leland’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leland’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.