Photo: A Yee · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Leander’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leander gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #210 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hail (13%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1981.
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 Leander 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Leander’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leander, and Leander’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 13%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #210 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Leander’s residents live in 23 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Leander has less expected damage per building than 67% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.7M a year in losses across Leander: $9.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leander flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leander, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms2 claims · $67K
Leander isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Williamson County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leander
Disasters that paid out in Leander itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Leander), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding395 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$275K to the City of Leander for repairs
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$428K to the City of Leander for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms532 households applied for aid$109K aid approved$171K to the City of Leander for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$960 aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding23 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2011Wildfires52 households applied for aid$64K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$33K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$93K to the City of Leander for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 28 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.
Also 10 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2006–2011.
Old photos of Leander after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leander archive →Leander and its neighbors
Leander is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Park | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Georgetown | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Liberty Hill | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Leander | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Jonestown | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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 Leander 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Leander
Is Leander at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leander has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #210 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hail (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Leander flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Leander since 1981, $388K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (2).
Is Leander 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 Williamson County, 46% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Leander?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leander’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 Leander?
By FEMA money that reached Leander, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2025): 395 households applied for aid, $3.5M approved, and $275K to the City of Leander for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 2 paid, $67K.
Is Leander at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Leander’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leander.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leander’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.