More hazard damage per building is expected in Laughlin than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laughlin gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #18 of 42 in Nevada. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2016.
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 Laughlin 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 Laughlin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Laughlin, and Laughlin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #18 of 42 in Nevada; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Laughlin’s residents live in 3 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, Laughlin has less expected damage per building than 59% of Nevada towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.3M a year in losses across Laughlin: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Laughlin flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Laughlin, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Laughlin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clark County.The storms Laughlin remembers
None of the 6 disasters declared for Clark County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Laughlin itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20161 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20231 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Clark County has had 6 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Clark County, 2002–2013.
Old photos of Laughlin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Laughlin archive →Laughlin and its neighbors
Laughlin is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullhead City | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Laughlin | C−more damage than 78% | 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 Laughlin 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 Laughlin
Is Laughlin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laughlin has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #18 of 42 in Nevada. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Laughlin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Laughlin since 2016, $204K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Laughlin 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 Clark County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Laughlin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Laughlin’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Laughlin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Laughlin’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Laughlin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Laughlin’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.