Enter any address in Lyon County, Nevada to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Lyon County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 22 flash flood events and 14 flood events, which have resulted in 2 fatalities. Recent events include flash flooding on August 26, 2025, caused by widespread heavy precipitation from monsoon moisture, and on July 24, 2024, due to locally heavy rain from thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that while Zone A properties have experienced the most claims, properties in Zone X have seen significantly higher average payouts and water depths, with one claim averaging $66,462 and 14.6 feet of water. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X, and Zone X_UNSHADED should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lyon County, Nevada has recorded 36 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 22 flash floods and 14 river or area floods. The county has received 14 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Mar 8, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Upper Colony Fire | Fire | Jun 17, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jan 5, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 5, 2008 |
| Linehan Fire Complex | Fire | Jun 26, 2006 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 31, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Jan 6, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 26, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 11, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 9, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2017 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Jan 8, 2017 | 1.30M |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2015 | 20.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 26, 2025
A high amount of atmospheric moisture in the region interacted with a short-wave trough, allowing for widespread heavy precipitation. This was day four of an extended push of monsoon moisture that produced heavy rain, localized flooding, strong outflow winds.
Flash Flood — Jul 24, 2024
Thunderstorms brought locally heavy rain and a flash flood potential along with strong outflow gusts through Wednesday. Abundant moisture and instability were present as noted by the 0.81 PWAT reading from the 23 July 1200Z KREV sounding this morning. Sufficient clearing also helped temperatures to climb well above average for late July. Short term high-resolution HREF guidance showed an uptick...
Flash Flood — Jul 18, 2023
Ample mid and upper level moisture that streamed across western Nevada, coupled with summer daytime heating, increased instability across the region that allowed for increased shower and thunderstorm chances (15-30%) that extended mostly south of US-50 from southern Mono County through Mineral counties. These storms were forecast to be a hybrid variety capable of gusty outflow winds up to 50 mp...
Flash Flood — Jun 11, 2023
An upper low that settled over southern NV/UT encouraged the return of greater thunderstorm coverage during this period with near severe storms bringing heavy rain and flash flood concerns to the region. These strong storm cells also brought along gusty, erratic winds, small hail, and plenty of lightning. Slightly below normal temperatures continued before returning to near normal the middle o...
Flood — Mar 9, 2023
Strong, even damaging west-southwest winds increased travel hazards especially to high profile trucks but also increased the danger for destructive avalanches across the region. Snow started at all elevations Thursday evening with snow levels rapidly rising Friday morning. Heavy, wet snow (Sierra Nevada Cement) fell across higher elevation areas as snow levels rose to 7000 feet over the region...
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 Lyon 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 Lyon 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.