Photo: Billwhittaker · CC BY-SA 3.0Lisbon’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lisbon gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2014.
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 stands out about Lisbon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lisbon 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
Hail
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 Lisbon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lisbon, and Lisbon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lisbon’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $736K a year in losses across Lisbon: $476K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lisbon flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lisbon, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lisbon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Linn County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lisbon
Disasters that paid out in Lisbon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lisbon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms58 households applied for aid$75K aid approved$125K to the City of Lisbon for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$139K to the City of Lisbon for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$4K to the City of Lisbon for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storm$8K to the City of Lisbon for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$4K to the City of Lisbon for repairs
Linn County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Lisbon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lisbon archive →Get ready for what Lisbon 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.
- 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.
- 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 Lisbon
Is Lisbon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lisbon has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lisbon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Lisbon since 2014, $49K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lisbon 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 Linn County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lisbon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lisbon’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 Lisbon?
By FEMA money that reached Lisbon, Severe Storms (2020): 58 households applied for aid, $75K approved, and $125K to the City of Lisbon for repairs.
Is Lisbon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Lisbon’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lisbon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lisbon’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.