Mermaid House Hotel · Photo: Robert Lawton · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lebanon than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lebanon gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #526 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1990.
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 Lebanon 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
Earthquakes
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 Lebanon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lebanon, and Lebanon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 33% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C #526 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lebanon’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lebanon has more expected damage per building than 68% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Lebanon: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lebanon flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lebanon, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lebanon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Clair County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lebanon
Disasters that paid out in Lebanon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lebanon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng20 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding27 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$12K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
St. Clair County has had 16 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 Lebanon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lebanon archive →Get ready for what Lebanon 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Lebanon
Is Lebanon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lebanon has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #526 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lebanon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Lebanon since 1990, $1K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lebanon 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 St. Clair County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Lebanon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lebanon’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 Lebanon?
By FEMA money that reached Lebanon, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 20 households applied for aid, $51K approved.
Is Lebanon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Lebanon’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lebanon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lebanon’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.