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

Mineral County Disaster Risk

Mineral County, Nevada

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

10th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#14

of 17 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

13th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Mineral County, Nevada

Mineral County ranks among America's safest

Mineral County's composite risk score of 9.80 places it in the very low risk category, well below the national average. This remote western Nevada county benefits from minimal exposure to the hazards threatening most American communities.

Nevada's lowest-risk county

At 9.80, Mineral County has the lowest composite risk score in Nevada, significantly safer than the state average of 46.25. This exceptional safety profile makes it stand out among all Nevada counties.

Safest in the western Nevada region

Mineral County (9.80) outperforms all nearby counties, including Storey (25.16), Lander (16.98), and Pershing (6.01). Only Pershing County comes close to matching Mineral's outstanding safety record.

Earthquakes pose the main hazard

Mineral County's primary natural disaster risk comes from earthquakes at 84.32, reflecting Nevada's seismic nature. All other hazards remain minimal: wildfires score 49.33, floods 12.91, and tornados just 1.27.

Focus on earthquake preparedness

With earthquake risk at 84.32 dominating the hazard profile, homeowners should prioritize earthquake insurance and structural retrofits. Basic wildfire precautions are worthwhile but secondary given the county's overall low risk profile.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Mineral County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    49th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    13th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Mineral County

Risk Verdict

Mineral County's overall natural disaster score at the 10th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Mineral County residents can take confidence from a 10th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Mineral County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 49th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (13th percentile), tornado (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake exposure at the 84th percentile nationally puts Mineral County in a zone where utilities — gas, water, electrical — are the most common post-quake hazard. Knowing how to shut off the main gas valve is an important household skill to develop before an event occurs. Wildfire at the 49th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Mineral County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Mineral County households benefit from keeping shoes and a flashlight near the bed — post-earthquake navigation through debris in the dark is a common cause of secondary injury. This low-cost step has outsized protective value.

Regional Context

Mineral County's composite risk score sits 36.5 points below the Nevada county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Mineral 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 Mineral County, NV?
Mineral County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 10th 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 Mineral County?
Mineral County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (84th percentile), wildfire (49th percentile), flooding (13th percentile), tornado (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 84th 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 Mineral County risk compare to the Nevada average?
Mineral County's composite risk percentile is 10th, compared to the Nevada state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Mineral County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Nevada.
Is Mineral County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Mineral County's earthquake risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Mineral County is at the 13th 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 Mineral County a safe place to live?
Mineral County's composite risk score of 10th 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 earthquake at the 84th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

White Pine County

Nevada

+2.7

Very Low

13th percentile

Pershing County

Nevada

-3.8

Very Low

6th percentile

Eureka County

Nevada

-4.6

Very Low

5th 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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