Less hazard damage per building is expected in Shannon than in 76% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shannon gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%), then earthquakes (37%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Shannon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Shannon 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
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 Shannon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shannon, and Shannon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 37% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shannon’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $708K a year in losses across Shannon: $388K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shannon flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Shannon. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Shannon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lee County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shannon
Disasters that paid out in Shannon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Shannon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm179 households applied for aid$523K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Lee County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Shannon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shannon archive →Get ready for what Shannon 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.
- 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 Shannon
Is Shannon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shannon has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%) and earthquakes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Shannon 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 Lee County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shannon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shannon’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 Shannon?
By FEMA money that reached Shannon, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 179 households applied for aid, $523K approved.
Is Shannon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Shannon’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shannon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shannon’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.