Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lebanon than in 74% 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 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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
Strong wind
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 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lebanon, and Lebanon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lebanon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $872K a year in losses across Lebanon: $744K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lebanon flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lebanon, from FEMA’s records: 13.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $15K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $52K
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: Hunterdon County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lebanon
Disasters that paid out in Lebanon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Lebanon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida57 households applied for aid$68K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $52K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$25K to the Borough of Lebanon for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy74 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$10K to the Borough of Lebanon for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene35 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$5K to the Borough of Lebanon for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$1K to the Borough of Lebanon for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $15K
Hunterdon County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and strong wind (6%). 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 Lebanon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Lebanon since 1984, $186K in all, or 13.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (2).
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 Hunterdon County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% 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, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 57 households applied for aid, $68K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 2 paid, $15K.
Is Lebanon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Lebanon’s rate for it is higher than 84% 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.