Clark County Disaster Risk
Clark County, Nevada
FEMA Risk Rating
Very High
National Percentile
100th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#1
of 17 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
100th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very High
Higher than 100% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 99% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 9% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively High
Higher than 99% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Clark County, Nevada
Clark County faces exceptional disaster risk
With a composite risk score of 99.55, Clark County ranks among the most hazard-exposed areas in the United States—nearly double the national average of 50. This "Very High" rating reflects extreme, multi-hazard vulnerability across the Las Vegas metropolitan region.
Nevada's highest-risk county by far
Clark County's 99.55 score towers over Nevada's state average of 46.25 and exceeds every other Nevada county by a wide margin. The county's size, urban density, and geographic position create a perfect storm of flood, wildfire, and seismic hazards.
Dramatically riskier than surrounding counties
Clark County's 99.55 dwarfs Carson City's 76.14 and Douglas County's 84.38, both significant regional hazards. Even Elko County, Nevada's second-riskiest at 87.91, scores 12 points lower, illustrating Clark County's singular vulnerability in the state.
Four major hazards at extreme levels
Flood risk peaks at 99.62, wildfire risk at 99.14, and earthquake risk at 99.11—all near-maximum scores indicating severe, overlapping exposure. Tornado risk, while lower at 9.22, still exceeds most Nevada counties, creating a rare multi-hazard emergency scenario.
Comprehensive insurance is non-negotiable
Clark County residents must secure standard homeowners insurance plus separate earthquake, wildfire, and flood policies—all three are critical here. With scores exceeding 99 for flood, earthquake, and wildfire, layered coverage is your essential defense against Clark County's exceptional disaster risk.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Clark County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Clark County
Risk Verdict
At the 100th percentile nationally, Clark County faces one of the most concentrated natural disaster risk profiles of any U.S. county. Clark County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Clark County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 100th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 99th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (99th percentile), tornado (9th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With flood ranked as the primary hazard at the 100th percentile nationally, Clark County households should build a go-bag that includes important documents, medications, and supplies to sustain the family for at least three days if evacuation is needed. Secondary wildfire exposure at the 99th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. A waterproof container for documents (insurance policies, ID, prescriptions) and a clear household communication plan for when phone networks are congested are the two highest-value low-cost preparedness steps for Clark County households.
Regional Context
A composite score 53.3 points above the Nevada state average puts Clark County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Clark County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Clark County, NV?
What types of natural hazards affect Clark County?
How does Clark County risk compare to the Nevada average?
Is Clark County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Clark County higher risk than average?
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.