Leavenworth Ski Hill Historic District · Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Leavenworth faces more hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leavenworth gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #275 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then wildfire (34%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1995.
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 Leavenworth 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
Wildfire
Earthquakes
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 Leavenworth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leavenworth, and Leavenworth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 34%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #275 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Leavenworth’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Washington town has higher expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Leavenworth has more expected damage per building than 96% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Leavenworth: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leavenworth flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leavenworth, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver1 claim · $107K
Leavenworth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chelan County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leavenworth
Disasters that paid out in Leavenworth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Leavenworth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides60 households applied for aid$511K aid approved$42K to the City of Leavenworth for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding$144K to the City of Leavenworth for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$96K to the City of Leavenworth for repairs
Chelan 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.
Also 30 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Chelan County, 2001–2025.
Old photos of Leavenworth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leavenworth archive →Get ready for what Leavenworth 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Leavenworth
Is Leavenworth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leavenworth has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #275 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and wildfire (34%). 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 Leavenworth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Leavenworth since 1995, $194K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver (1).
Is Leavenworth 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 Chelan County, 1.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Leavenworth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leavenworth’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 Leavenworth?
By FEMA money that reached Leavenworth, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 60 households applied for aid, $511K approved, and $42K to the City of Leavenworth for repairs. By flood claims, 2025-12-AtmosphericRiver: 1 paid, $107K.
Is Leavenworth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Leavenworth’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leavenworth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leavenworth’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.