Lander County, Nevada Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 17th
Lander County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 17.0, 17th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Lander County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 17.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 17th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Lander County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $435K in expected annual loss and about 148.86 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $469K in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lander County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Lander County has received 6 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 2 for biological events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 17 Nevada counties, Lander County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 148.86 / yr | $435K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.03 / yr | $469K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.59 / yr | $73K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 3.22 / yr | $964 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $395 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.98 / yr | $79K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 24.56 / yr | $23K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $42K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $4K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $8K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $1K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Lander County has received 6 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Snowstorm (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| February 2005 | Snowstorm | Record and/Or Near Record Snow |
| June 1977 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lander County?
Lander County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 17.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 17th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lander County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $435K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $469K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lander County compare to other Nevada counties?
Lander County ranks #12 of 17 Nevada counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lander County had?
FEMA records 6 federal disaster declarations for Lander County since 1977, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. Lander County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.