Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Las Vegas than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Las Vegas gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #37 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then wildfire (12%). Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1995.
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 Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas’ grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Las Vegas, and Las Vegas’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 12%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #37 of 73 in New Mexico; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Las Vegas’ residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New Mexico town has higher expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Las Vegas has more expected damage per building than 50% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Las Vegas: $5.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Las Vegas flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Las Vegas, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Las Vegas isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Miguel County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Las Vegas
Disasters that paid out in Las Vegas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Las Vegas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Wildfires, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Mudflows, and Debris Flows1,328 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$27.2M to the City of Las Vegas for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$397K to the City of Las Vegas for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Fire Threats$3K to the City of Las Vegas for repairs
San Miguel County has had 11 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 7 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Miguel County, 2000–2023.
Old photos of Las Vegas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Las Vegas archive →Get ready for what Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas
Is Las Vegas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Las Vegas has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #37 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and wildfire (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Las Vegas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Las Vegas since 1995, $440K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Las Vegas 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 San Miguel County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 13.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Las Vegas?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Las Vegas’ 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 Las Vegas?
By FEMA money that reached Las Vegas, Wildfires, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Mudflows, and Debris Flows (2022): 1,328 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $27.2M to the City of Las Vegas for repairs.
Is Las Vegas at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Las Vegas’ rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Las Vegas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Las Vegas’ 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.