Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Fernley’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fernley gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #14 of 42 in Nevada. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (44%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2017.
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 Fernley 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
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 Fernley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fernley, and Fernley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #14 of 42 in Nevada; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fernley’s residents live in 7 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, Fernley has less expected damage per building than 68% of Nevada towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.0M a year in losses across Fernley: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fernley flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fernley, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fernley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lyon County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Fernley
Disasters that paid out in Fernley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fernley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Winter Storms and Flooding321 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$617K to the City of Fernley for repairs
Lyon County has had 9 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lyon County, 2006–2018.
Old photos of Fernley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fernley archive →Fernley and its neighbors
Fernley has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fernley | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Wadsworth | — | 705 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Fernley 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.
- 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 Fernley
Is Fernley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fernley has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #14 of 42 in Nevada. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fernley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Fernley since 2017, $8K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Fernley 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 Lyon County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fernley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fernley’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 Fernley?
By FEMA money that reached Fernley, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2008): 321 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $617K to the City of Fernley for repairs.
Is Fernley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Fernley’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fernley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fernley’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.