riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Lander County Disaster Risk

Lander County, Nevada

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

17th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#12

of 17 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

16th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lander County, Nevada

Lander County faces very low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 16.98, Lander County sits well below the national average and ranks in the very low category for natural disaster exposure. This means residents face significantly fewer threats from the major hazards that affect most American communities.

Among Nevada's safer counties

Lander County's composite risk score of 16.98 places it among the lowest-risk counties in Nevada, where the state average is 46.25. Only a handful of Nevada counties have comparable protection from natural disasters.

Safer than most neighboring areas

Lander County's risk profile is substantially lower than nearby Lyon County (71.41) and Lincoln County (25.92), making it one of the safer options in central Nevada. However, all three counties share elevated wildfire risk, a regional concern across the state.

Wildfire and earthquakes are your top threats

Wildfire risk dominates Lander County's hazard profile at 94.02, reflecting Nevada's arid conditions and vegetation patterns, while earthquake risk at 69.18 reflects the region's seismic activity. Flood and tornado risks remain minimal, scoring 15.71 and 1.84 respectively.

Prepare for wildfire and seismic risks

Homeowners should prioritize wildfire insurance and ensure their properties meet defensible-space standards given the 94.02 wildfire risk score. Consider earthquake insurance as well, since the 69.18 earthquake risk score is significant for the region.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lander County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    69th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    16th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lander County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Lander County ranks at the 17th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Lander County's favorable 17th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Lander County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (16th percentile), tornado (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Lander County sits at the 94th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Lander County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 69th percentile nationally means Lander County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Lander County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 29.3 points below the Nevada state average, Lander County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Lander County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Lander County, NV?
Lander County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 17th 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 Lander County?
Lander County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (94th percentile), earthquake (69th percentile), flooding (16th percentile), tornado (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 94th 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 Lander County risk compare to the Nevada average?
Lander County's composite risk percentile is 17th, compared to the Nevada state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lander County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nevada.
Is Lander County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Lander County's wildfire risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lander County is at the 16th 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.
Is Lander County a safe place to live?
Lander County's composite risk score of 17th percentile is below the Nevada state average of 46th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 94th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

White Pine County

Nevada

-4.5

Very Low

13th percentile

Mineral County

Nevada

-7.2

Very Low

10th percentile

Storey County

Nevada

+8.2

Very Low

25th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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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