Natural disasters are just a fact of life no matter where you live, including the Silver State, Nevada. Nevada is a famously known for Las Vegas, where the vast majority of the population lives, but the rest of the state has a varied climate and terrain, and equally varied natural disasters.
All the overall risk of natural disasters in the state is surprisingly low, you might still have to contend with earthquakes, droughts, heat waves, floods and more.
If you live in Nevada, are traveling there, or planning to move there, this is info you will need to know. Keep reading and I’ll tell you all about it…
Overview
Nevada is a state that is typically thought of as having a harsh, dry and hot climate. This is true, but both of the terrain and the climate conditions in the state can vary considerably depending on where you are. Accordingly, the disasters you might be facing can also vary.
Overall, the biggest natural threats in the state come from earthquakes, droughts, monsoons and, if you can believe it, winter storms in the northern regions.
Other hazards include serious heat waves in the south and more or less constant wildfire risks.
The good news is, concerning the latter, is that even though Nevada rates very high on wildfire instances typically there are very few lives lost or private properties affected; most wildfires affect empty land and forest.
Even better news, Nevada is classified as a low risk state overall when it comes to natural disasters, meaning the chances are or you won’t have much to worry about though you should always be prepared to act or evacuate!
1. Earthquake
Nevada is no stranger to the threat of earthquakes. In fact, it ranks as the third most seismically active state in the United States, following California and Alaska.
The region’s proximity to unstable faults and active tectonic plates greatly contribute to both the frequency and severity of quakes.
And we aren’t talking about once-a-millennium events, either: several major quakes have occurred in the 20th century.
One of the worst in US history occurred in 1915, the Pleasant Valley earthquake. With a magnitude of 7.1, it remains the most powerful quake recorded in Nevada.
Significant damage was reported up to 120 miles away from the epicenter, and open fissures in the ground extended as far as 35 miles.
Another big one was the 1954 Dixie Valley-Fairview Peak earthquakes, twin tremors occurring within minutes of each other.
Together, the two caused cracks and surface heaving that extended over 100 miles from either epicenter. Truly scary stuff!
So why is Nevada so plagued with quakes? It is because Nevada is very close to the San Andreas Fault. Together with its own crisscrossing network of active faults within the state, this makes Nevada highly active, seismically.
Luckily, typical earthquakes in Nevada are weak, resulting in little or no meaningful damage; however, the probability of a large, destructive event remains high and is a constant concern compared to nearly every other state in the US.
It is crucial for all residents of and visitors to Nevada to stay informed about earthquake risks, and take all necessary precautions to respond when the next “Big One” occurs.
2. Drought
Drought is hardly thought of as a disaster compared to severe weather, but it can be just as devastating in the long run.
Regrettably, it is also one of the most common and constant threats in Nevada. The state experiences frequent periods of extended drought, conditions which can have dire consequences for residents, agriculture, and native ecosystems.
In fact, in our era alone Nevada has more or less been constantly struggling with drought conditions that began in 2000. With rising temps and increased demands for water, for all kinds of tasks, this is one problem that isn’t going away.
Nevada’s severe susceptibility to drought conditions is due to it being mostly desert. That is no exaggeration! Any desert is characterized by low annual precipitation and extremely high evaporation rates.
Droughts in Nevada are made worse by the “rain shadow” effect, where the Sierra Nevada mountain range blocks most moisture-laden air that would otherwise come in from the Pacific.
This results in sustained dry conditions on the near side of the mountains, and of course extends droughts interminably.
Worse yet, Nevada’s water supply relies heavily on snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain ranges, so any changes in precipitation patterns or reduced snowpack means less water coming in.
Droughts in Nevada are particularly dangerous compared to most other states because the state already suffers with serious water scarcity.
Add a rapidly growing population, which increases the demand for water further, increased competition among urban, agricultural, and environmental sectors and you have set the stage for legitimate, critical lack of this life-sustaining resource.
Prolonged periods of drought in the state can and have resulted in reduced or lost agricultural production, an increase to wildfire risk, and serous impacts on wildlife and all associated ecosystems.
3. Heatwave
Nevada is just damn hot most of the time. No doubt about it. So of course, heatwaves or “extreme heat events” pose a significant threat to life in Nevada, and most particularly in the southern regions of the state.
Heatwaves can lead to severe consequences for public infrastructure and the environment, too, aside from just risks to health and life.
Heatwaves are also made worse by and contribute to issues such as drought in a vicious cycle which can then lead to a domino effect with wildfires which appear on this list a little later.
Southern Nevada, including the city of Las Vegas, is highly vulnerable to heatwaves due to its location within the Mojave Desert.
This region experiences a truly hot desert climate with scorching summer temperatures that routinely exceed 100°F and can easily soar to a broiling 117°F.
Worse yet, the “urban heat island” effect, where cities absorb and retain more heat than surrounding rural areas, further intensifies the problem in densely populated areas- areas like Las Vegas…
As hot as it is, true heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to increasing temperatures around the country and the globe, meaning there is no relief in sight during the hottest parts of the year.
Aside from being directly dangerous to even fit and healthy people, children and elderly are especially vulnerable to becoming heat casualties.
It should be noted that heatwaves also place additional strain on infrastructure, as increased demand for air conditioning can and will lead to power outages and disruptions in other vital systems.
Moreover, extreme heat contributes to increased evaporation rates, once again worsening drought conditions that are so prevalent, and yet increasing already high fire hazards.
Heat will be a constant enemy everywhere in Nevada, and truly deadly temperatures are never out of the question.
4. Flooding
Although it sounds like a bad joke (and I promise it isn’t), despite its arid climate, Nevada also faces significant risk of flooding events! Flooding, now as ever, causes serious damage to property, infrastructure and the environment, and also costs dozens their lives every year.
Flooding in Nevada typically results from intense or sustained rainfall but sometimes also rapid snowmelt, and occasionally a combination of both.
One chief factor contributing to the state’s flood risk is its varied topography, with steep mountain ranges and expansive valleys creating conditions that can lead to immensely destructive and difficult-to-predict flash floods.
Urbanization in some areas, notably Carson City, Reno and Las Vegas, has further increased flood risk, as the construction of impermeable surfaces and proximity to rivers yields a triple-threat of reduced ground absorption, higher runoff volumes and faster flow.
Not every place in the state is truly vulnerable to major flooding, but you must have an assessment done on your property and take proactive measures to mitigate flood risks.
Don’t forget to obtain specialty flood insurance- your basic home policy likely doesn’t cover it!
5. Monsoons
When you think of monsoons, do you think of tropical climates in the faraway Pacific Rim? Sure, but do you think about Nevada?
It’s true, Nevada is indeed affected by genuine monsoon conditions, just not in the way you may be thinking…
A monsoon is not just a discrete rain event; it is instead a weather system, or more properly a seasonal weather pattern that results in significant shifts in wind direction. This shift of prevailing winds leads to dramatic changes in precipitation.
And while Nevada is not located within the traditional monsoon belt over much of Asia, it is influenced by the North American Monsoon System, or NAMS.
This seasonal weather system affects much of the southwestern United States through moist air that pours in from the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean.
This results in increased rainfall overall , and a major increase in the higher elevations of southern and central Nevada.
You can probably see how this is an issue: while these seasonal monsoon rains can provide sweet and badly needed relief from the arid conditions prevalent in Nevada, they can be huge dangers on their own.
The sudden influx of moisture can cause heavy rains that lead to flash floods, particularly in areas with steep terrain, gullies, canyons, slopes and limited ground vegetation.
Additionally, the intense thunderstorms brought on by monsoon systems can cause hazardous conditions on their own: high winds, hail, and lightning.
6. Wildfires
Wildfires are a significant concern for Nevada just like they are for most other states in the American Southwest.
The state’s arid climate and abundance of dry vegetation create picture-perfect ideal conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly.
Human activities or negligence (unattended campfires, discarded cigarette butts) contribute to the ignition of these fires while natural causes like lightning strikes can also start them.
The impacts of wildfires in Nevada are far-reaching, and include the destruction of homes and infrastructure, the loss of wildlife habitats, and increased air pollution.
Climate change is thought to be exacerbating the problem by contributing to hotter, drier conditions that further increase the likelihood and intensity of wildfires.
The good news is that, compared to other states, Nevada wildfires rarely destroy private property or claim lives, but that will be of no consolation at all if you happen to be in the path of one!
7. Winter Storms
All this talk about heat and fire, and now we’re talking about winter weather? It’s true, and hear me out: While winter storms are typically associated with much colder overall climates, they can also pose challenges and even severe danger for the northern parts of Nevada.
These winter storms can bring heavy snowfall, ice, strong winds, and freezing temperatures, which can cause loss of visibility, hazardous driving conditions, extended power outages, isolation, exposure and more.
It is northern Nevada’s mountainous terrain and higher elevations that make it particularly susceptible to the impacts of winter storms compared to the rest of the state; as these storms move across the region and benefit from much cooler temps, they can produce significant, lasting snowfall. Sometimes even leading to avalanches!
Visitors to and residents of northern Nevada must stay informed about winter weather forecasts, and take all necessary precautions to shelter in place and be prepared for other potential emergencies.
Where are the Least Disaster-prone Places in Nevada?
According to FEMA’s National Risk Index assessment, Esmeralda, White Pine and Mineral counties all rate “Very Low” vulnerability to natural hazards across the board.
You might want to look there for a place to live or visit if you are thinking of bugging out – or just visiting!
Tom Marlowe practically grew up with a gun in his hand, and has held all kinds of jobs in the gun industry: range safety, sales, instruction and consulting, Tom has the experience to help civilian shooters figure out what will work best for them.