Photo: Jon Platek · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Lebanon than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lebanon gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #101 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1984.
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
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 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lebanon, and Lebanon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #101 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 78% 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 New Hampshire town has higher expected damage than 58% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lebanon has more expected damage per building than 80% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.9M a year in losses across Lebanon: $7.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lebanon flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lebanon, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene6 claims · $1.1M
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: Grafton County.13 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.
- 2017Severe Storms and Flooding$107K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$3.8M to the City of Lebanon for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene14 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$233K to the City of Lebanon for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$10K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$22K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
Show all 13
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the City of Lebanon for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$37K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$25K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
- 2003Snow$21K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
- 2001Snow$27K to the City of Lebanon for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Tropical Storm Floyd$13K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
Grafton County has had 34 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 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 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartland | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hartford | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Hanover | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Norwich | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Plainfield | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lebanon | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Enfield | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Wilder | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| White River Junction | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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.
- 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 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #101 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lebanon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Lebanon since 1984, $1.2M in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (6).
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 Grafton County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% 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, and Flooding (2013): $3.8M to the City of Lebanon for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 6 paid, $1.1M.
Is Lebanon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Lebanon’s rate for it is higher than 89% 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.