Photo: Richc80 · CC BY 3.0For tornadoes, Nevada’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nevada gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #72 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1984.
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 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
Tornadoes
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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nevada, and Nevada’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B #72 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nevada’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Nevada has more expected damage per building than 51% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Nevada: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nevada flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nevada, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding9 claims · $151K
Nevada isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Story County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nevada
Disasters that paid out in Nevada itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Nevada), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding50 households applied for aid$77K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms54 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$173K to the City of Nevada for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes31 households applied for aid$62K aid approved$23K to the City of Nevada for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding31 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$160K to the City of Nevada for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$15K to the City of Nevada for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding69 households applied for aid$138K aid approved$13K to the City of Nevada for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Story County has had 19 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.
Old photos of Nevada after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nevada archive →Nevada and its neighbors
Nevada has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Ames | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 175 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Nevada 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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
Is Nevada at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nevada has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #72 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Nevada flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Nevada since 1984, $318K in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (9).
Is Nevada 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 Story County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nevada?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nevada’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?
By FEMA money that reached Nevada, Severe Storms (2020): 54 households applied for aid, $36K approved, and $173K to the City of Nevada for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 9 paid, $151K.
Is Nevada at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Nevada’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nevada.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nevada’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.