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Natural hazard risk in Carson City, Nevada

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on FEMA, NOAA and OpenFEMA data. Published by Humblebee.

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Relatively Low (score 76.1 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$41.0 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1986
13[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$559,000[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
1[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates overall natural hazard risk in Carson City, Nevada, as Relatively Low compared with other US counties, with a Risk Index score of 76.1 out of 100[5]. Within the county, the hazards with the highest FEMA scores are earthquake, wildfire and winter weather[6].

FEMA risk ratings for each hazard

Ratings and expected losses from the FEMA National Risk Index. Each rating compares this county with all US counties for that hazard, from Very Low to Very High. They are planning estimates, not predictions, and they do not describe any single property.

FEMA's National Risk Index estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Carson City at $41.0 million a year, rated Relatively Low[1]. This is FEMA's estimate of average yearly economic loss, not money anyone paid, and it does not predict next year's losses[7]. Earthquake drives the largest share, with FEMA estimating $29.6 million a year and rating earthquake Expected Annual Loss Relatively High[8]. FEMA rates winter weather risk Relatively High and wildfire risk Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties[9][10]. FEMA rates social vulnerability in Carson City Relatively Low, with a score of 20.2[11]. FEMA rates community resilience Very Low, with a score of 17.6, where community resilience describes a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[12].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
EarthquakeRelatively Moderate$29.6 million[8]
WildfireRelatively Moderate$2.9 million[10]
Winter WeatherRelatively High$641,000[9]
AvalancheRelatively Low$46,000[13]
Heat WaveRelatively Low$523,000[14]
LightningRelatively Low$271,000[15]
Volcanic ActivityVery Low$14[16]
Inland FloodingRelatively Low$6.8 million[17]
LandslideVery Low$1,155[18]
HailVery Low$82,000[19]
Strong WindRelatively Low$194,000[20]
DroughtVery Low$558[21]
TornadoVery Low$3,643[22]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: coastal flooding, hurricane, ice storm, tsunami[23].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

FEMA uses these two ratings to scale expected losses into the Risk Index.

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityRelatively Low20.2[11]
Community resilienceVery Low17.6[12]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA's National Risk Index rates inland flooding risk in Carson City Relatively Low, with an estimated Expected Annual Loss of $6.8 million a year[17]. OpenFEMA data show 186 residential flood insurance contracts in force out of 17,801 residential structures as of 2026-08-03, a penetration rate of 1%[24]. A HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA records counts 91 NFIP claims for losses from 1978 to 2026, 49 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $559,000 in total[3]. The year with the most paid claims was 1997, with 17[3].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[17] Relatively Low, $6.8 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[24] 186 of 17,801 homes
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 91 filed, $559,000 paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[25]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 13 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Carson City since 1986, including 6 major disaster declarations[2]. Fire accounts for 5 of them and severe storm for 4[2]. The most recent is DR-4307-NV, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides, declared 2017-03-27[26]. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center tornado database records 1 tornado in Carson City from 1950 to 2024, rated F0, on 2005-04-27[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Carson City, since 1986
Incident type Declarations
Fire[2] 5
Severe Storm[2] 4
Snowstorm[2] 2
Flood[2] 1
Hurricane[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
DR-4307-NV[26] Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides 2017-03-27
DR-4303-NV[26] Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides 2017-02-17
FM-2650-NV[26] Linehan Fire Complex 2006-06-27
DR-1629-NV[26] Severe Storms And Flooding 2006-02-03
EM-3243-NV[26] Hurricane Katrina Evacuation 2005-09-13

How to prepare

Steps from Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, for the hazards with the highest FEMA ratings here. Follow instructions from local officials and the National Weather Service when a warning is issued.

Earthquakes

Before

  • Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with your family and coworkers.
  • Sign up for earthquake alerts that can warn you before shaking starts.
  • Make a plan with an out-of-state contact and a place to meet if you get separated.
  • Anchor heavy items such as bookcases, refrigerators and water heaters, and keep heavy things on low shelves.
  • Consider earthquake insurance. Standard homeowners policies do not cover earthquake damage.

During

  • Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck, and hold on until the shaking stops.
  • Indoors, stay where you are and avoid doorways. Outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings and power lines.
  • If you are driving, pull over, stop and set the parking brake.

Source: Ready.gov, earthquakes

Wildfires

Before

  • Sign up for community alerts and watch for air quality alerts.
  • Make sure everyone knows the evacuation plan, including for school, work and other places you go often.
  • Keep a fire-resistant zone of at least 30 feet around your home, clear of leaves and debris.
  • Use fire-resistant building materials and keep a hose long enough to reach every part of your property.
  • Pick a room you can seal off from outside air and keep a portable air cleaner ready.

During

  • Leave right away when authorities tell you to evacuate.
  • If you are trapped, call 9-1-1 with your location and turn on lights to help rescuers find you.
  • If you are not ordered to leave but there is smoke, stay in a safe indoor place or go to a community building with less smoke.

Source: Ready.gov, wildfires

Winter storms and cold

Before

  • Insulate your home and learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
  • Install and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup.
  • Keep several days of supplies in case the power goes out, including medication and pet needs.
  • Put an emergency kit in your car with jumper cables, sand, blankets, water and snacks, and keep the tank full.

During

  • Under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away.
  • Stay off the roads if you can. If you are stuck in your car, stay inside it.
  • Run generators and grills only outdoors, away from windows, and never heat your home with an oven or stove.

Source: Ready.gov, winter storms and cold

Questions people ask

Is Carson City at risk of earthquakes?
FEMA rates earthquake risk in Carson City Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties, with a score of 96.6 out of 100[8]. FEMA estimates earthquake Expected Annual Loss at $29.6 million a year, rated Relatively High[8].
Is Carson City at risk of wildfire?
FEMA rates wildfire risk in Carson City Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties, with a score of 93.5 out of 100[10]. OpenFEMA lists 5 fire declarations that include the county since 1986[2].
Does Carson City get tornadoes or hurricanes?
NOAA's tornado database records 1 tornado in Carson City from 1950 to 2024, rated F0[4]. FEMA rates tornado risk Very Low and rates hurricane Not Applicable for the county[22][23].
How many disasters have been declared in Carson City?
OpenFEMA lists 13 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Carson City since 1986[2]. The most recent was declared 2017-03-27 for severe winter storms, flooding and mudslides[26].
How do I check if a Carson City address is in a flood zone?
Look up the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, the official source for flood maps, or ask the local floodplain manager[25]. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of a single address[25].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Carson City is $41.0 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Low, score 80.2). Of this, buildings account for $26.0 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $15.0 million... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 13 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Carson City since 1986 (6 major disaster, 7 emergency or fire management). By incident type: fire 5, severe storm 4, snowstorm 2, flood 1, hurricane 1. Biological (such as COVID-19) and other non-natural... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 91 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Carson City, 49 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $559,000 in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid). Years with... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 1 recorded tornadoes touched Carson City. The strongest were rated F0 (most recent of them on 2005-04-27). 0 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2005-04-27. Ratings used the Fujita scale until early 2007 and the... NOAA Storm Prediction Center
  5. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): the overall natural hazard Risk Index rating for Carson City is Relatively Low, with a Risk Index score of 76.1 out of 100. The score is the county's percentile rank among all US counties. FEMA National Risk Index
  6. Among the 18 hazards in the FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), the hazards with the highest hazard-type Risk Index scores for Carson City are earthquake (96.6, Relatively Moderate), wildfire (93.5, Relatively Moderate), winter weather (93.4, Relatively High). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's published... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. FEMA's National Risk Index FAQ (December 2025): Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of the average economic loss in dollars from natural hazards each year. The index is not meant to predict how much damage a community will have in the next year, and a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low. Scores... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  8. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Carson City: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 96.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $29.6 million a year (rating Relatively High). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0273 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Carson City: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 93.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $641,000 a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 15.85 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Carson City: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 93.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.9 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0068 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Carson City is Relatively Low (score 20.2). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Carson City is Very Low (score 17.6). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), avalanche in Carson City: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 77.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $46,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.07 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 28 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Carson City: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 54.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $523,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 2.83 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Carson City: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 50.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $271,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 18.59 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), volcanic activity in Carson City: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 49.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $14 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Carson City: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 46.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $6.8 million a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.18 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 26 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Carson City: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 45.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1,155 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Carson City: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 20.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $82,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.18 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Carson City: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 19.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $194,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.15 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Carson City: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 14.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $558 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 68.2 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Carson City: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 1.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3,643 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.01 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Carson City: coastal flooding, hurricane, ice storm, tsunami. FEMA uses Not Applicable when its source data has no historical record of the hazard in the community and the hazard is not considered geographically possible... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  24. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 186 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Carson City, out of 17,801 residential structures, a penetration rate of 1%. OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  25. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) produced under the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood zones apply to specific properties: look up an address there or ask the local floodplain manager. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of... FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  26. Most recent federal disaster declarations for natural hazards (table on this page). OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties. Ratings are relative (Very Low to Very High), not a measure of safety. Never call a place safe, unsafe, good or bad to live in. Risk Index and Expected Annual Loss values are FEMA estimates for planning. They do not predict next year's losses and do not apply to a single property. Flood zones are set by FEMA flood maps for specific properties. County ratings and flood insurance counts do not tell anyone whether an address is in a flood zone. Disaster declaration, NFIP and tornado counts are records of the past for this county only. Do not compare with other counties unless a fact does.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Risk Index Dataset: National Risk Index Counties, v1.20 (December 2025). Retrieved from fema.maps.arcgis.com on October 30, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.