riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Lebanon County Disaster Risk

Lebanon County, Pennsylvania

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

80th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#22

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

85th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania

Lebanon County's risk exceeds state average moderately

Lebanon County's composite risk score of 79.90 with a "Relatively Low" rating sits 12 points above Pennsylvania's 67.45 average. This indicates elevated exposure compared to many counties statewide, though not reaching the extreme levels of the state's highest-risk regions.

Upper-middle risk range in Pennsylvania

Lebanon County ranks in the upper-middle tier of Pennsylvania's 67 counties for disaster risk, placing it in the state's higher-exposure zones. Only about one-third of Pennsylvania counties exceed Lebanon's 79.90 score, making it more vulnerable than most.

Riskier than Dauphin, safer than Lancaster

Lebanon's 79.90 score exceeds nearby Dauphin County (76.45) but falls well below Lancaster County's dangerous 95.04. Compared to Berks County (84.20), Lebanon faces slightly lower risk, showing meaningful variation across south-central Pennsylvania.

Flooding and tornadoes dominate the risk profile

Lebanon County's top hazards are flooding (84.86), tornado exposure (70.26), and hurricane risk (86.82), each carrying significant potential for property damage. Earthquake risk (80.88) rounds out a formidable multi-hazard landscape, while wildfire risk (22.49) remains comparatively low.

Flood and wind insurance cover essential gaps

Flood insurance is vital given Lebanon's 84.86 flood risk; obtain it through NFIP or private insurers. Reinforce your roof for wind resistance, secure outdoor items before spring storms, and maintain a family emergency kit for tornado and flooding events.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lebanon County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    85th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    81th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lebanon County

Risk Verdict

At the 80th percentile nationally, Lebanon County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Lebanon County.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Lebanon County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (81th percentile), tornado (70th percentile), wildfire (22th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Lebanon County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 87th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 85th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Lebanon County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Lebanon County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Lebanon County falls 12.5 points above Pennsylvania's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Lebanon County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Lebanon County, PA?
Lebanon County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 80th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Lebanon County?
Lebanon County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (87th percentile), flooding (85th percentile), earthquake (81th percentile), tornado (70th percentile), wildfire (22th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 87th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Lebanon County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Lebanon County's composite risk percentile is 80th, compared to the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lebanon County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Pennsylvania.
Is Lebanon County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lebanon County's hurricane risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lebanon County is at the 85th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Lebanon County higher risk than average?
Lebanon County's composite risk score of 80th percentile is above the Pennsylvania state average of 67th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (87th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lycoming County

Pennsylvania

-0.3

Relatively Low

80th percentile

Butler County

Pennsylvania

-0.6

Relatively Low

79th percentile

Northumberland County

Pennsylvania

-0.7

Relatively Low

79th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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