Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Elko than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elko gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (81%), then river and rain flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Elko faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
River and rain flooding
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 Elko’s grade
Wildfire is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elko, and Elko’s rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 14% (lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #41 of 42 in Nevada; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elko’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Nevada town has higher expected damage than 81% of U.S. towns; within the state, Elko has more expected damage per building than 98% of Nevada towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.3M a year in losses across Elko: $20.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elko flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elko, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Elko isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Elko County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elko
Disasters that paid out in Elko itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Elko), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$92K to the City of Elko for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Snow$30K to the City of Elko for repairs
- 2004Record And/or Near Record Snow$19K to the City of Elko for repairs
Elko County has had 5 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Elko County, 1999–2017.
Old photos of Elko after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elko archive →Get ready for what Elko faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Elko
Is Elko at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elko has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (81%) and river and rain flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elko flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Elko since 1984, $129K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Elko 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 Elko County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elko?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elko’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 Elko?
By FEMA money that reached Elko, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2017): $92K to the City of Elko for repairs.
Is Elko at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Elko’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elko.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elko’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.