Nevada County, California Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 90th
Nevada County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 89.9, 90th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $81M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Nevada County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 89.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 90th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at High risk — $32M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $148K in expected annual loss and about 2.27 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $81M in expected annual loss for a population of 102K.
Beyond physical exposure, Nevada County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Nevada County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 7 for severe storm events and 7 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in April 2023.
Among 58 California counties, Nevada County ranks #39 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $32M |
| Landslide | Medium | 2.27 / yr | $148K |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.03 / yr | $7M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.86 / yr | $37M |
| Avalanche | High | 0.30 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 14.29 / yr | $492K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 28.31 / yr | $124K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $23 |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.25 / yr | $517K |
| Hail | Low | 0.17 / yr | $246K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $194K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $108K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 59.51 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Nevada County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Fire (7), Flood (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| January 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2021 | Fire | Wildfires |
| August 2020 | Fire | Wildfires |
| August 2020 | Fire | Jones Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2017 | Fire | Wildfires |
| October 2017 | Fire | Lobo Fire |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Nevada County?
Nevada County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 89.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 90th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nevada County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $32M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $148K EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nevada County compare to other California counties?
Nevada County ranks #39 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Nevada County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Nevada County since 1964, most often 7 for severe storm events and 7 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in April 2023.
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. Nevada County's $81M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.