Photo: Chad Knoblock · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Lester
Lester isn’t graded for hazard risk: Lester has 340 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1993.
What Lester 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
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.
Does Lester flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lester, from FEMA’s records.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $3K
Lester isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lyon County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lester
Disasters that paid out in Lester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes12 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
- 2013Severe Winter Storm$14K to the City of Lester for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$1K to the City of Lester for repairs
Lyon County has had 13 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 Lester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lester archive →Get ready for what Lester 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.
- 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 Lester
Does Lester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Lester since 1993, $3K in all. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Lester 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 Lyon County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Lester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lester’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 Lester?
By FEMA money that reached Lester, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2024): 12 households applied for aid, $50K approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $3K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lester’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.