Photo: Meridethmyers · Public domainFEMA puts North Las Vegas’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Las Vegas gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #2 of 42 in Nevada. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then earthquakes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1982.
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 stands out about North Las Vegas’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North 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
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 North Las Vegas’ grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 33% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
A #2 of 42 in Nevada; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Las Vegas’ residents live in 63 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, North Las Vegas has less expected damage per building than 98% of Nevada towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, North Las Vegas has lower expected damage per building than 94% (#24 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $66.2M, is the 186th largest of those 400.
Does North Las Vegas flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Las Vegas, from FEMA’s records: 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
North Las Vegas is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Clark County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to North Las Vegas
Disasters that paid out in North Las Vegas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Las Vegas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999Nv - Flash Flooding 7/8/99$100K to the City of North Las Vegas for repairs
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 North Las Vegas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Las Vegas archive →North Las Vegas and its neighbors
North Las Vegas is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nellis AFB | A+among the lowest damage | earthquakes | — |
| North Las Vegas | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sunrise Manor | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Las Vegas | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 121 |
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 North 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.
- 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.
- North Las Vegas residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in North Las Vegas
Is North Las Vegas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Las Vegas has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #2 of 42 in Nevada. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and earthquakes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Las Vegas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in North Las Vegas since 1982, $3 in all, or 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is North 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 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 North Las Vegas?
North Las Vegas is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in North Las Vegas?
By FEMA money that reached North Las Vegas, Nv - Flash Flooding 7/8/99 (1999): $100K to the City of North Las Vegas for repairs.
Is North Las Vegas at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and North Las Vegas’ rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Las Vegas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North 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.