Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in South Lebanon as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Lebanon gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #836 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 36 claims here since 1995.
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 South Lebanon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South 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
Tornadoes
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 South Lebanon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Lebanon, and South Lebanon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #836 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Lebanon’s residents live in 3 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, South Lebanon has more expected damage per building than 84% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across South Lebanon: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Lebanon flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Lebanon, from FEMA’s records: 15.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm11 claims · $196K
South 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: Warren County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Lebanon
Disasters that paid out in South Lebanon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South Lebanon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$16K to the City of South Lebanon for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Snow$6K to the City of South Lebanon for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Warren County has had 10 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 South Lebanon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Lebanon archive →South Lebanon and its neighbors
South Lebanon is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deerfield Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Kings Mills | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lebanon | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Hamilton Township | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Union Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| South Lebanon | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
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 South 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 South Lebanon
Is South Lebanon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Lebanon has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #836 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Lebanon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in South Lebanon since 1995, $520K in all, or 15.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (11).
Is South 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 Warren County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Lebanon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South 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 South Lebanon?
By FEMA money that reached South Lebanon, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $16K to the City of South Lebanon for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 11 paid, $196K.
Is South Lebanon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and South Lebanon’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Lebanon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South 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.