Photo: Greene, A.B. · Public domainFor ice storms, Lebanon’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lebanon gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #113 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then ice storms (18%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims 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
Ice storms
Earthquakes
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.
What’s behind Lebanon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lebanon, and Lebanon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #113 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lebanon’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lebanon has less expected damage per building than 54% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.8M a year in losses across Lebanon: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lebanon flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lebanon, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $9K
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: Laclede County.8 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.
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$1.5M to the City of Lebanon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$124K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$84K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding39 households applied for aid$136K aid approved$45K to the City of Lebanon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$551K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
Laclede County has had 18 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 →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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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.
- 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 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #113 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and ice storms (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lebanon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Lebanon since 1990, $122K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter 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 Laclede County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
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 Flooding (2020): $1.5M to the City of Lebanon for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Lebanon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Lebanon’s rate for it is lower than 59% 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.