Elko County
Nevada — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Elko County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.9, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $75M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.03 / yr | $62M |
| Winter Weather | High | 21.58 / yr | $355K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3M |
| Avalanche | Medium | 0.03 / yr | $502K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 8.01 / yr | $2K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.20 / yr | $516K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.82 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | Low | 29.67 / yr | $263K |
| Drought | Low | 84.56 / yr | $64K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $278K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $79K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.24 / yr | $168K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $2K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Elko County?
Elko County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Elko County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $62M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $355K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Elko County compare to other Nevada counties?
Elko County ranks #3 of 17 Nevada counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Elko County's $75M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.