Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts New Lebanon’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Lebanon gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #283 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 New Lebanon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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
Earthquakes
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 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Lebanon, and New Lebanon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 7% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
A #283 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Lebanon’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, New Lebanon has less expected damage per building than 72% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $826K a year in losses across New Lebanon: $618K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Lebanon flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in New Lebanon. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
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: Montgomery County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Lebanon
Disasters that paid out in New Lebanon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of New Lebanon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$4K to the Village of New Lebanon for repairs
- 2004Snow$5K to the Village of New Lebanon for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$6K to the Village of New Lebanon for repairs
Montgomery County has had 10 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.
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 →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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #283 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and earthquakes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
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 Montgomery County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
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, Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow (2003): $6K to the Village of New Lebanon for repairs.
Is New Lebanon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and New Lebanon’s rate for it is lower than 72% 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.