Photo: Shuvaev · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Leesport than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leesport gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1978.
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 Leesport 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
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 Leesport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leesport, and Leesport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Leesport’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $700K a year in losses across Leesport: $533K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leesport flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leesport, from FEMA’s records: 20.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee4 claims · $28K
- Hurricane Isaias1 claim · $45K
Leesport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Berks County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leesport
Disasters that paid out in Leesport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Leesport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee9 households applied for aid$12K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $28K
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$15K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
Berks County has had 19 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 Leesport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leesport archive →Leesport and its neighbors
Leesport is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bern Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Ontelaunee Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Centre Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Leesport | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Leesport 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.
- 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 Leesport
Is Leesport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leesport has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (6%). 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 Leesport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Leesport since 1978, $263K in all, or 20.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (4).
Is Leesport 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 Berks County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Leesport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leesport’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 Leesport?
By FEMA money that reached Leesport, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 8 households applied for aid, $15K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 4 paid, $28K.
Is Leesport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Leesport’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leesport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leesport’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.