Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Lilbourn
Lilbourn isn’t graded for hazard risk: Lilbourn has 905 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 59 claims here since 1986.
What Lilbourn faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
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 Lilbourn flood? Sometimes: 59 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lilbourn, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms17 claims · $555K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $128K
Lilbourn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: New Madrid County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lilbourn
Disasters that paid out in Lilbourn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lilbourn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$11K to the City of Lilbourn for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$60K to the City of Lilbourn for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado$9K to the City of Lilbourn for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding12 households applied for aid$31K aid approved23 flood claims paid that year
New Madrid County has had 22 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 Lilbourn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lilbourn archive →Get ready for what Lilbourn faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Lilbourn
Does Lilbourn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 59 claims in Lilbourn since 1986, $1.7M in all. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (17).
Is Lilbourn 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 New Madrid County, 4.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Lilbourn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lilbourn’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 Lilbourn?
By FEMA money that reached Lilbourn, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $60K to the City of Lilbourn for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 17 paid, $555K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lilbourn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lilbourn’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.