Mineral County, Nevada Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Mineral County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.8, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and landslide 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 Mineral County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 9.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th 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.
Risk here concentrates in earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $1K in expected annual loss and about 10.85 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $38K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Mineral County has a medium 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: Mineral County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1997, 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, Mineral County ranks #14 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.07 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 10.85 / yr | $1K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $38K |
| Drought | Low | 144.18 / yr | $102K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $304 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6 |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.74 / yr | $186K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.49 / yr | $21K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.54 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 21.11 / yr | $31K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $39K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $2K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $992 |
| 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
Mineral County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1997, 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 |
| February 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| February 2005 | Snowstorm | Record and/Or Near Record Snow |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Landslides |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Mineral County?
Mineral County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mineral County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $1K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $38K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mineral County compare to other Nevada counties?
Mineral County ranks #14 of 17 Nevada counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Mineral County had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for Mineral County since 1997, 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. Mineral County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.