Photo: Adam Lenhardt · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, New Lebanon faces more hazard damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Lebanon gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 62 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 New 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
Hurricanes
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 New Lebanon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Lebanon, and New Lebanon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of New Lebanon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across New Lebanon: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Lebanon flood? Sometimes: 62 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Lebanon, from FEMA’s records: 50.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $63K
- The Torrential rain4 claims · $51K
New 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: Columbia County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Lebanon
Disasters that paid out in New Lebanon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New Lebanon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Town of New Lebanon for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene7 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$52K to the Town of New Lebanon for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $63K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Town of New Lebanon for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$29K to the Town of New Lebanon for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$6K to the Town of New Lebanon for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$13K to the Town of New Lebanon for repairs
Columbia County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 New Lebanon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Lebanon archive →New Lebanon and its neighbors
New Lebanon is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canaan | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Chatham | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| New Lebanon | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Stephentown | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 New 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 New Lebanon
Is New Lebanon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Lebanon has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (7%). 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 New Lebanon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 62 claims in New Lebanon since 1978, $911K in all, or 50.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (5).
Is New 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 Columbia County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in New Lebanon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New 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 New Lebanon?
By FEMA money that reached New Lebanon, Hurricane Irene (2011): 7 households applied for aid, $19K approved, and $52K to the Town of New Lebanon for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 5 paid, $63K.
Is New Lebanon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and New Lebanon’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Lebanon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New 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.