Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Lebanon faces less hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lebanon gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #178 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). 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 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lebanon, and Lebanon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 7% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #178 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lebanon’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Virginia town has lower expected damage than 81% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lebanon has more expected damage per building than 70% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Lebanon: $583K 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: Russell County.4 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.
- 2025Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of Lebanon for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene221 households applied for aid$183K aid approved$25K to the Town of Lebanon for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding43 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide6 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Russell County has had 17 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 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 →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 lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #178 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and earthquakes (7%). 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 Russell County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% 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, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 221 households applied for aid, $183K approved, and $25K 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 (87%), and Lebanon’s rate for it is higher than 56% 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.