Infirmary Building, Missouri State Hospital Number 3 · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0On FEMA’s figures, Nevada faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nevada gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #78 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1993.
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
Hail
Earthquakes
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 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nevada, and Nevada’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #78 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nevada’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Nevada has less expected damage per building than 69% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Nevada: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nevada flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nevada, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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: Vernon County.8 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.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$102K to the City of Nevada for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$131K to the City of Nevada for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the City of Nevada for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the City of Nevada for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding1 households applied for aid$545 aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$21K to the City of Nevada for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$17K to the City of Nevada for repairs
Vernon County has had 22 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 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Center Township | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Washington Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #78 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Nevada flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Nevada since 1993, $8K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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 Vernon County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% 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, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 15 households applied for aid, $49K approved, and $102K to the City of Nevada for repairs.
Is Nevada at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Nevada’s rate for it is higher than 56% 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.