Lincoln County, Nevada Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 26th
Lincoln County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 25.9, 26th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lincoln County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 25.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 26th 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 Lincoln County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $969K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $944K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $5K in expected annual loss and about 8.54 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lincoln 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: Lincoln County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 2002, including 2 for biological events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (flood), declared in April 2023.
Among 17 Nevada counties, Lincoln County ranks #10 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $969K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.02 / yr | $944K |
| Landslide | Low | 8.54 / yr | $5K |
| Drought | Low | 113.83 / yr | $186K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $761 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.32 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.67 / yr | $15K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.40 / yr | $55K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 33.24 / yr | $43K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $10K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $9K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $2K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $145 |
| 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
Lincoln County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 2002, most recently Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2023. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Snowstorm (2), Flood (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| March 2005 | Severe Storm | Heavy Rains and Flooding |
| February 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| February 2005 | Snowstorm | Record and/Or Near Record Snow |
| June 2002 | Fire | Nv Wildfire (Pioche) 06-08-2002 |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lincoln County?
Lincoln County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 25.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 26th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lincoln County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $969K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $944K EAL), Landslide (Low, $5K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lincoln County compare to other Nevada counties?
Lincoln County ranks #10 of 17 Nevada counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lincoln County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Lincoln County since 2002, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, 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. Lincoln County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.