Nye County
Nevada — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 78th
Nye County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 78.3, 78th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | High | 4.43 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.04 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | High | 26.38 / yr | $548K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.82 / yr | $13M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $275K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.03 / yr | $4K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.47 / yr | $79K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 13.31 / yr | $2K |
| Drought | Low | 127.86 / yr | $76K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.09 / yr | $291K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $49K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $16K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $925 |
| 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 Nye County?
Nye County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 78.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 78th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nye County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (High, $6M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $4M EAL), Lightning (High, $548K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nye County compare to other Nevada counties?
Nye County ranks #5 of 17 Nevada counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. Nye County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.