Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0For hail, Leonard’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leonard gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hail (15%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2017.
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 Leonard 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
Ice storms
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 Leonard’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leonard, and Leonard’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 15%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Leonard’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Leonard: $523K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leonard flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leonard, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Leonard isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fannin County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leonard
Disasters that paid out in Leonard itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Leonard), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$68K to the City of Leonard for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms20 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$49K to the City of Leonard for repairs
Fannin 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 Leonard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leonard archive →Leonard and its neighbors
Leonard has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leonard | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Trenton | — | 653 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 Leonard 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Leonard
Is Leonard at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leonard has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hail (15%). 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 Leonard flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Leonard since 2017, $24K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Leonard 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 Fannin County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Leonard?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leonard’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 Leonard?
By FEMA money that reached Leonard, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): $68K to the City of Leonard for repairs.
Is Leonard at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Leonard’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leonard.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leonard’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.