FEMA puts Lebanon’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 62% 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 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 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 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lebanon, and Lebanon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 62% 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 $564K a year in losses across Lebanon: $501K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lebanon flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lebanon, from FEMA’s records: 23.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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: Madison County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lebanon
Disasters that paid out in Lebanon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lebanon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$97K to the Town of Lebanon for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of Lebanon for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$171K to the Town of Lebanon for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$211K to the Town of Lebanon for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$126K to the Town of Lebanon for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$209K to the Town of Lebanon for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Ice Storm$7K to the Town of Lebanon for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$4K to the Town of Lebanon for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$21K to the Town of Lebanon for repairs
Madison County has had 18 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; 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 →Lebanon and its neighbors
Lebanon is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eaton | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hamilton | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lebanon | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Hamilton | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Smyrna | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Georgetown | — | 603 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). 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 15 claims in Lebanon since 1978, $54K in all, or 23.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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 Madison County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
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, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2011): $211K to the Town of Lebanon for repairs.
Is Lebanon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Lebanon’s rate for it is higher than 81% 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.