Photo: Andrew Filer · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Lisbon than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lisbon gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). Flood insurance has paid 75 claims here since 1978.
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 Lisbon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lisbon 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
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 Lisbon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lisbon, and Lisbon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 9%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lisbon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Lisbon: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lisbon flood? Sometimes: 75 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lisbon, from FEMA’s records: 73.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lisbon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ransom County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lisbon
Disasters that paid out in Lisbon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lisbon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$126K to the City of Lisbon for repairs
- 2020Flooding$81K to the City of Lisbon for repairs
- 2011Flooding$541K to the City of Lisbon for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Flooding$236K to the City of Lisbon for repairs
- 2010Flooding$82K to the City of Lisbon for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding143 households applied for aid$235K aid approved$885K to the City of Lisbon for repairs22 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$1K to the City of Lisbon for repairs
Ransom County has had 32 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 Lisbon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lisbon archive →Get ready for what Lisbon 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Lisbon
Is Lisbon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lisbon has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (9%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lisbon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 75 claims in Lisbon since 1978, $460K in all, or 73.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Lisbon 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 Ransom County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lisbon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lisbon’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 Lisbon?
By FEMA money that reached Lisbon, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 143 households applied for aid, $235K approved, and $885K to the City of Lisbon for repairs.
Is Lisbon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Lisbon’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lisbon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lisbon’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.