Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Leetonia than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leetonia gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Leetonia’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Leetonia 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 Leetonia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leetonia, and Leetonia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Leetonia’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $376K a year in losses across Leetonia: $323K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leetonia flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Leetonia. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Leetonia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbiana County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leetonia
Disasters that paid out in Leetonia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Leetonia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$4K to the Village of Leetonia for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding33 households applied for aid$80K aid approved$36K to the Village of Leetonia for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$34K to the Village of Leetonia for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds29 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$41K to the Village of Leetonia for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Columbiana County has had 15 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 Leetonia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leetonia archive →Leetonia and its neighbors
Leetonia is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Leetonia | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Fairfield Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Washingtonville | — | 601 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 Leetonia 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 Leetonia
Is Leetonia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leetonia has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Leetonia 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 Columbiana County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Leetonia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leetonia’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 Leetonia?
By FEMA money that reached Leetonia, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 33 households applied for aid, $80K approved, and $36K to the Village of Leetonia for repairs.
Is Leetonia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Leetonia’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leetonia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leetonia’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.