White Pine County, Nevada Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NV
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
White Pine County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.5, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in White Pine County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 12.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 13th 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 White Pine County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $289K in expected annual loss and about 20.37 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $662K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $4K in expected annual loss and about 3.67 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, White Pine 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: White Pine County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 2 for biological events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 17 Nevada counties, White Pine County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 20.37 / yr | $289K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $662K |
| Landslide | Low | 3.67 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $626K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $976 |
| Drought | Low | 94.34 / yr | $134K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.41 / yr | $760K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.89 / yr | $63K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 33.48 / yr | $56K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $3K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $11K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $161 |
| 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 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
White Pine County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Snowstorm (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| June 1977 | Drought | Drought |
| April 1969 | Flood | Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for White Pine County?
White Pine County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in White Pine County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $289K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $662K EAL), Landslide (Low, $4K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does White Pine County compare to other Nevada counties?
White Pine County ranks #13 of 17 Nevada counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has White Pine County had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for White Pine County since 1969, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. White Pine County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.