Photo: Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Nevada City than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nevada City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #267 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then wildfire (34%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2002.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Nevada City faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Wildfire
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Nevada City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nevada City, and Nevada City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 34%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #267 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nevada City’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical California town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Nevada City has less expected damage per building than 69% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Nevada City: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nevada City flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nevada City, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Nevada City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nevada County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nevada City
Disasters that paid out in Nevada City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Nevada City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides125 households applied for aid$157K aid approved$337K to the City of Nevada City for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$1.0M to the City of Nevada City for repairs
- 2017Wildfires42 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$185K to the City of Nevada City for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides9 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$9K to the City of Nevada City for repairs
Nevada County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Nevada County, 2009–2020.
Old photos of Nevada City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nevada City archive →Get ready for what Nevada City faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Nevada City
Is Nevada City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nevada City has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #267 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and wildfire (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Nevada City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Nevada City since 2002, $224K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Nevada City in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Nevada County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nevada City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nevada City’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Nevada City?
By FEMA money that reached Nevada City, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): $1.0M to the City of Nevada City for repairs.
Is Nevada City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Nevada City’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nevada City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nevada City’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.