Washoe County
Nevada — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 97th
Washoe County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 96.7, 97th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $274M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | High | 0.04 / yr | $160M |
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $27M |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 11.60 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 1.39 / yr | $80M |
| Lightning | High | 16.65 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Medium | 7.29 / yr | $65K |
| Avalanche | Medium | 0.13 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $490K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $344 |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.09 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 0.06 / yr | $413K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.21 / yr | $610K |
| Drought | Low | 139.07 / yr | $169K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $146K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washoe County?
Washoe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 96.7 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 97th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washoe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (High, $160M EAL), Wildfire (High, $27M EAL), Winter Weather (Very High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washoe County compare to other Nevada counties?
Washoe County ranks #2 of 17 Nevada counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
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. Washoe County's $274M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.