Storey County, Nevada Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
Storey County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 25.2, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Storey County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 25.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th 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 Storey County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $4K in expected annual loss and about 1.54 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Storey County has a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Storey County has received 13 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, Storey County ranks #11 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.02 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 1.54 / yr | $4K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.84 / yr | $52K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1 |
| Drought | Very Low | 77.59 / yr | $648 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $19 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.26 / yr | $11K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $14K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 17.38 / yr | $18K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $27K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.01 / 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 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Storey County has received 13 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 |
| March 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| June 2006 | Fire | Linehan Fire Complex |
| February 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| February 2005 | Snowstorm | Record and/Or Near Record Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Storey County?
Storey County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 25.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Storey County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $7M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $4K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Storey County compare to other Nevada counties?
Storey County ranks #11 of 17 Nevada counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Storey County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Storey 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. Storey County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.