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Natural hazard risk in Humboldt County, Nevada

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

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Very Low (score 40.8 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$15.8 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1977
6[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$79,000[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
8[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) gives Humboldt County an overall natural hazard rating of Very Low compared with other US counties[5]. The hazards with the highest FEMA scores within the county are wildfire, drought and earthquake[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 at $15.8 million a year[1]. This is FEMA's estimate of average yearly loss, not money anyone paid[7]. By expected loss, FEMA's largest hazard types are wildfire at $9.7 million a year, inland flooding at $2.5 million a year and earthquake at $1.8 million a year[8]. FEMA rates Social Vulnerability Very Low[9] and Community Resilience Very Low[10]. FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[10]. FEMA says the index does not predict damage in the next year[7].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
WildfireRelatively Moderate$9.7 million[11]
DroughtRelatively Moderate$1.2 million[12]
EarthquakeRelatively Low$1.8 million[13]
AvalancheRelatively Low$46,000[14]
Winter WeatherRelatively Moderate$164,000[15]
Heat WaveRelatively Low$267,000[16]
LandslideVery Low$656[17]
Volcanic ActivityVery Low$4[18]
Inland FloodingVery Low$2.5 million[19]
LightningVery Low$49,000[20]
Cold WaveVery Low$33,000[21]
Strong WindVery Low$17,000[22]
HailVery Low$3,689[23]
TornadoVery Low$4,378[24]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: coastal flooding, hurricane, ice storm, tsunami[25].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

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

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityVery Low14.0[9]
Community resilienceVery Low2.2[10]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk Very Low compared with other US counties, with an Expected Annual Loss of $2.5 million a year[19]. OpenFEMA lists 5 residential flood insurance contracts in force, out of 9,426 residential structures, as of 2026-08-03[26]. Inside the mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, 6.3% of homes are insured[26]. OpenFEMA NFIP claims data list 16 claims for losses from 1978 to 2026, and NFIP paid $79,000 in total[3]. To check a specific address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[27].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[19] Very Low, $2.5 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[26] 5 of 9,426 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[26] 79, of which 5 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 16 filed, $79,000 paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[27]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 6 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Humboldt County since 1977[2]. The most recent was DR-4307-NV for severe winter storms, flooding and mudslides, declared 2017-03-27[28]. NOAA's tornado database records 8 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024, and the strongest were rated EF0[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Humboldt County, since 1977
Incident type Declarations
Snowstorm[2] 2
Hurricane[2] 1
Drought[2] 1
Flood[2] 1
Severe Storm[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
DR-4307-NV[28] Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides 2017-03-27
EM-3243-NV[28] Hurricane Katrina Evacuation 2005-09-13
EM-3204-NV[28] Snow 2005-02-23
EM-3202-NV[28] Record And/Or Near Record Snow 2005-02-17
DR-759-NV[28] Severe Storms & Flooding 1986-02-28

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.

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 Humboldt County, Nevada at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk Very Low compared with other US counties[19]. FEMA's flood maps apply to specific addresses, so use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center to check one[27].
Does Humboldt County have tornadoes?
FEMA rates tornado risk Very Low compared with other US counties[24]. NOAA's tornado database records 8 tornadoes from 1950 to 2024, and the strongest were rated EF0[4].
Is Humboldt County at risk of wildfire?
FEMA rates wildfire risk Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties[11]. FEMA lists wildfire as the largest hazard type by expected annual loss, at $9.7 million a year[8].
Is Humboldt County at risk of earthquakes?
FEMA rates earthquake risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties, with an Expected Annual Loss of $1.8 million a year[13].
How many disasters have been declared in Humboldt County?
OpenFEMA lists 6 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include the county since 1977[2].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Humboldt County is $15.8 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Low, score 52.4). Of this, buildings account for $13.3 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $1.2... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 6 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Humboldt County since 1977 (2 major disaster, 4 emergency or fire management). By incident type: snowstorm 2, hurricane 1, drought 1, flood 1, severe storm 1. Biological (such as COVID-19) and other... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 16 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Humboldt County, 11 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $79,000 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): 8 recorded tornadoes touched Humboldt County. The strongest were rated EF0 (most recent of them on 2018-05-11). 0 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2018-05-11. 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 Humboldt County is Very Low, with a Risk Index score of 40.8 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 Humboldt County are wildfire (97.1, Relatively Moderate), drought (80.7, Relatively Moderate), earthquake (78.5, Relatively Low). 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. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for Humboldt County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are wildfire ($9.7 million a year), inland flooding ($2.5 million a year), earthquake ($1.8 million a year), out of $15.8 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Humboldt County is Very Low (score 14.0). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Humboldt County is Very Low (score 2.2). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Humboldt County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 97.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $9.7 million a year (rating Relatively High). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0221 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Humboldt County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 80.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.2 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 125.22 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of... FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Humboldt County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 78.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.8 million a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0146 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), avalanche in Humboldt County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 76.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $46,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.03 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 28 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Humboldt County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 70.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $164,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 11.66 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18... FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Humboldt County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 38.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $267,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 4.47 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Humboldt County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 36.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $656 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), volcanic activity in Humboldt County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 33.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $4 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Humboldt County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 16.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.5 million a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.46 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 26 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Humboldt County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 11.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $49,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 19.52 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Humboldt County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 5.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $33,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.05 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Humboldt County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 2.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $17,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.09 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), hail in Humboldt County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 2.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3,689 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.02 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Humboldt County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 2.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $4,378 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.13 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  25. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Humboldt County: 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... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  26. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 5 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Humboldt County, out of 9,426 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.1%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 79 residential structures and 5 contracts, a rate of... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  27. 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
  28. 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.