Photo: 46percent · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Lebanon faces more hazard damage per building than 75% 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 75% of U.S. towns, #85 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (44%). 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 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 Lebanon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lebanon, and Lebanon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #85 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lebanon’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Oregon town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lebanon has more expected damage per building than 60% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.1M a year in losses across Lebanon: $5.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lebanon flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Lebanon. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
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: Linn County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lebanon
Disasters that paid out in Lebanon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lebanon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds64 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$93K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Storm with High Winds$12K to the City of Lebanon for repairs
Linn County has had 16 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Linn County, 2003–2020.
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 has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lebanon | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| South Lebanon | — | 939 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.
- 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 Lebanon
Is Lebanon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lebanon has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #85 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
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 Linn County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% 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, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2019): $93K to the City 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 (52%), and Lebanon’s rate for it is higher than 64% 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.