Enter any address in Elko County, Nevada to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates Elko County's flood events, with 61 recorded instances in the last 30 years compared to 16 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on August 4, 2024, attributed to monsoonal moisture and atmospheric instability, and another flash flood event on July 19, 2023, caused by heavy rain and thunderstorms across central and northern Nevada.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that Zone A, typically areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding, has had the most claims, averaging $5,322 in payouts with an average water depth of 0.5 feet. While Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded areas have seen fewer claims, some Zone X_Unshaded claims have reported significant water depths of 3.0 feet, despite zero payouts. Residents in Zone A, and those in areas designated Zone X_Unshaded, should pay particular attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Elko County, Nevada has recorded 77 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 61 flash floods and 16 river or area floods. The county has received 19 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Oil Well Fire | Fire | Jul 17, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 5, 2017 |
| Indian Creek Fire | Fire | Oct 3, 2011 |
| Murphy Fire Complex | Fire | Jul 21, 2007 |
| Mudd Fire | Fire | Aug 23, 2006 |
| Suzie Fire | Fire | Jun 26, 2006 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 31, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 14, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2021 | 800.00K |
| Flood | May 30, 2019 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 4, 2024
Excess monsoonal moisture from the late July four corners high pressure remained over Nevada in early August due to the high pressure system destabilizing, causing weak upper flow. Hot temperatures, increase in lift and instability with the excess moisture helped formed thunderstorms in the afternoons.
Flood — Apr 23, 2023
Snowmelt from warming temperatures in the 60s caused minor flooding to occur.
Flash Flood — Jul 19, 2023
Heavy rain from showers and thunderstorms caused flooding and mudslides across central and northern Nevada.
Flood — Mar 14, 2023
Another in a series of AR events brought valley rain, mountain snow, and high winds. Due to the valley rain, some snowmelt occurred leading to localized flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 3, 2023
Heavy rain from slow-moving thunderstorms produced localized flooding as well as gusty winds.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Elko County, Nevada:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Elko County, Nevada that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.