Lyon County, Nevada Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
Lyon County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.4, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $33M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Lyon County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 71.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 71st national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 0.05 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $476K in expected annual loss and about 6.51 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $33M in expected annual loss for a population of 59K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lyon County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Lyon County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 4 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (flood), declared in April 2023.
Among 17 Nevada counties, Lyon County ranks #7 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.05 / yr | $12M |
| Winter Weather | High | 6.51 / yr | $476K |
| Drought | Medium | 98.89 / yr | $570K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.00 / yr | $893K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.00 / yr | $11M |
| Lightning | Low | 18.17 / yr | $313K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15 |
| Landslide | Very Low | 3.97 / yr | $473 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.01 / yr | $44K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $151K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.15 / yr | $264K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $48 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $4K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Lyon County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2018 | Fire | Upper Colony Fire |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| January 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| June 2006 | Fire | Linehan Fire Complex |
| February 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lyon County?
Lyon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lyon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $7M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $12M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $476K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lyon County compare to other Nevada counties?
Lyon County ranks #7 of 17 Nevada counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lyon County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Lyon County since 1965, most often 4 for severe storm events and 3 for flood 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. Lyon County's $33M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.