Photo: Paul J Everett · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Lebanon faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lebanon gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #346 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 43 claims here since 1979.
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 Lebanon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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
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 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lebanon, and Lebanon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 9% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
B #346 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lebanon’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lebanon has more expected damage per building than 58% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Lebanon: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lebanon flood? Sometimes: 43 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lebanon, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $276
Lebanon is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Boone County.4 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.
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$9K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
Boone County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 →Lebanon and its neighbors
Lebanon is 5th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perry Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Whitestown | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Zionsville | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Center Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Lebanon | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Jefferson Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 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.
- 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.
- Lebanon residents get 15% off flood insurance.
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 lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #346 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and earthquakes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lebanon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 43 claims in Lebanon since 1979, $324K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
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 Boone County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lebanon?
Lebanon is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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 Winter Storms and Flooding (2005): 17 households applied for aid, $15K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $276.
Is Lebanon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Lebanon’s rate for it is higher than 61% 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.