riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Churchill County Disaster Risk

Churchill County, Nevada

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

47th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#8

of 17 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

53th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Churchill County

Risk Verdict

Churchill County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 47th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Churchill County, scoring in the 91th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 64th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (53th), tornado (2th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Churchill County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as wildfire also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Churchill County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Nevada. Its composite risk score is within 1 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Nevada as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Churchill County, NV?
Churchill County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 47th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Churchill County?
Churchill County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (91th percentile), wildfire (64th percentile), flooding (53th percentile), tornado (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 91th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Churchill County risk compare to the Nevada average?
Churchill County's composite risk percentile is 47th, compared to the Nevada state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Churchill County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nevada.
Is Churchill County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Churchill County's earthquake risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Churchill County is at the 53th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Churchill County higher risk than average?
Churchill County's composite risk score of 47th percentile is above the Nevada state average of 46th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (91th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Humboldt County

Nevada

-6.4

Very Low

41th percentile

Lincoln County

Nevada

-21.3

Very Low

26th percentile

Storey County

Nevada

-22.1

Very Low

25th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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