Lyon County, Nevada
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 32019 · population 59,117 · 2,003 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 1,322 records for Lyon County, Nevada from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 627 days; the most frequent are high wind and dust records (952 records). 1,218 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the March 7, 2002 winter storm, filed for the forecast zone Pershing/Churchill/X Se Washoe/Nc&Ne Lyon, which covers the county: 2 deaths and $246,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 14 declarations naming the county since 1965, 12 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides” on April 27, 2023.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 1,322on 627 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 17131 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $1.2Bas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 4strongest F0
- FEMA declarations
- 14latest 2023
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Lyon County most?
The most frequent records are high wind and dust records: 952 since 1996. The rank column places the county among Nevada's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High wind and dust storms | 952 | 408 | 1996-2026 | 5 | 48 | $20M | 4 of 17 |
| Winter storms | 222 | 147 | 1996-2026 | 7 | 14 | $6.1M | 4 of 17 |
| Floods | 37 | 31 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 50 | $1.2B | 5 of 17 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 30 | 28 | 1979-2026 | 0 | 0 | $114K | 3 of 17 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 21 | 16 | 1997-2017 | 0 | 0 | $14K | 4 of 17 |
| Heavy rain | 19 | 13 | 2009-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 5 of 17 |
| Wildfires | 11 | 11 | 2009-2025 | 2 | 17 | $16M | 4 of 17 |
| Hail | 10 | 9 | 1982-2015 | 1 | 2 | $7K | 6 of 17 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 6 | 5 | 2009-2023 | 0 | 0 | $6K | 4 of 17 |
| Heat | 5 | 2 | 2006-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 of 17 |
| Tornadoes | 4 | 3 | 1989-1998 | 0 | 0 | $6K | 4 of 17 |
| Extreme cold | 3 | 1 | 1997-1997 | 0 | 0 | $92K | 7 of 17 |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 2004-2007 | 0 | 0 | $60K | 4 of 17 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Lyon County had?
NOAA records 4 tornadoes in Lyon County from 1989 to 1998, the strongest rated F0, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. That is 4th of 17 Nevada counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 5 tornadoes whose track touched Lyon County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 4: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Nevada.
Every tornado record filed for Lyon County (4)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-06-11 | Fernley, Lyon County | F0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-06-11 | Fernley, Lyon County | F0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1997-06-09 | Silver Spgs, Lyon County | F0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1989-06-07 | Lyon County | F0 1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Lyon County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the February 24, 2026 high wind (1 injury).
The Nevada Highway Patrol reported at least 4 separate vehicle accidents on I-580 in Washoe Valley near Washoe Lake. This included one overturned semi-trailer. At approximately the time of the accidents, mesonet station BCBNV 1.5 N Washoe City recorded a wind gust of 89 mph.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1310830)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-19 | Flash FloodSilver Spgs Airport, Lyon County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-17 | High WindLyon County and Mineral County · forecast zone Mineral/Southern Lyon | 53 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-03 | Thunderstorm WindSilver City, Lyon County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-21 | High WindLyon County and Mineral County · forecast zone Mineral/Southern Lyon | 51 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-21 | High WindChurchill County and 3 more · forecast zone Western Nevada Basin And Range | 54 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-11 | Strong WindLyon County and Mineral County · forecast zone Mineral/Southern Lyon | 48 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-02 | Strong WindChurchill County and 3 more · forecast zone Western Nevada Basin And Range | 49 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-02 | High WindLyon County and Mineral County · forecast zone Mineral/Southern Lyon | 53 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-01 | High WindDouglas County and 4 more · forecast zone Greater Reno/Carson City/Minden Area | 68 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-04 | Strong WindLyon County and Mineral County · forecast zone Mineral/Southern Lyon | 47 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-04 | High WindChurchill County and 3 more · forecast zone Western Nevada Basin And Range | 57 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-24 | High WindDouglas County and 4 more · forecast zone Greater Reno/Carson City/Minden Area | 81 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-03-07 | Winter StormChurchill County and 3 more · forecast zone Pershing/Churchill/X Se Washoe/Nc&Ne Lyon NHP reported a multi vehicle accident resulting in two deaths. Between 4:30 and 5:00 pm, a snowstorm hit the Fernley area reducing visibility to 1/4 mile. One semi lost control and spun out on I-80 about 6 miles east of Fernley, blocking the lanes and causing other vehicles to stop. Two sedans, a pickup, and another ... | 2 | 0 | $246K | |
| 1997-01-01 | FloodDouglas County and 4 more · forecast zone Greater Reno/Carson City/Minden Area The floods of January l997 were caused by several factors. First, the Sierra and western Nevada had experienced two above normal precipitation years (1995, 1996). Second, a major winter storm December 21st and 22nd 1996 deposited heavy snow in the Sierra and western Nevada. Four to six feet of snow was common below ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2011-11-18 | WildfireDouglas County and 4 more · forecast zone Greater Reno/Carson City/Minden Area High winds caused a tree to fall on a power line sparking a rapidly spreading wildfire in southwest Reno around 0030PST. The 2,000 acre Caughlin Fire fire spread, sometimes up to 30 mph, and caused the destruction of around 30 homes during the early morning of the 18th. Over 9,000 people were evacuated from the fire ... | 1 | 17 | $10M | |
| 1998-12-19 | Winter StormDouglas County and 4 more · forecast zone Greater Reno/Carson City/Minden Area Snowfall combined with bitterly cold temperatures in Western Nevada, caused icy roadways that produced numerous automobile accidents. As many as 80-90 accidents were reported just in the Reno-Sparks urban area. A multiple car accident on Interstate 80, approximately 10 miles east of Reno resulted in one fatality and ... | 1 | 10 | $272K | |
| 2009-11-20 | Dust StormChurchill County and 3 more · forecast zone Western Nevada Basin And Range The Nevada Highway Patrol reported that, at 1218PST, near zero visibility caused a large accident on westbound Interstate 80 about 20 miles east of Fernley. The accident involved 4 tractor trailer rigs, 3 pickups, and an SUV and caused one fatality along with 7 injuries. Elsewhere, there were numerous trees and power ... | 1 | 7 | $69K | |
| 2002-11-07 | High WindChurchill County and 3 more · forecast zone Western Nevada Basin And Range Strong wind gusts estimated at 70 mph caused near zero visibility from blowing dust on U.S Highway 95 Alternate just south of Silver Springs in Lyon County. An 11 vehicle pile-up, including one semi-trailer rig , resulted from the reduced visibility. One person was killed in the accident and five others were injured. | 61 kt wind | 1 | 6 | $410K |
| 2008-05-27 | HailLux, Lyon County The Lahontan Valley News reported that a woman lost control of her vehicle on slick pavement due to an accumulation of small hail. She was ejected from her SUV as it rolled down an embankment. The accident occurred on U.S. Highway 95 near Lyon County Road 2. According to the newspaper she was pronounced dead at the ... | 0.25 in hail | 1 | 2 | $7K |
| 2007-01-04 | Ice StormDouglas County and 4 more · forecast zone Greater Reno/Carson City/Minden Area The Reno Gazette-Journal reported that in a 24-hour period from about 5 p.m. Thursday [Jan. 4th], when heavy snow began falling, until Friday, Reno police said 95 accidents were reported. In a rollover automobile accident a University of Nevada-Reno journalism professor was killed. Also, a five-car crash on U.S. ... | 1 | 2 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-01-01 | FloodLyon County and Mineral County · forecast zone Mineral/Southern Lyon | 0 | 50 | $1.2B | |
| 2011-11-18 | WildfireDouglas County and 4 more · forecast zone Greater Reno/Carson City/Minden Area | 1 | 17 | $10M | |
| 2008-01-05 | Flash FloodFernley, Lyon County | 0 | 0 | $9.0M | |
| 2012-01-19 | WildfireDouglas County and 4 more · forecast zone Greater Reno/Carson City/Minden Area | 1 | 0 | $5.8M | |
| 2022-12-30 | Winter StormLyon County and Mineral County · forecast zone Mineral/Southern Lyon | 0 | 0 | $5.0M | |
| 2022-12-30 | High WindLyon County and Mineral County · forecast zone Mineral/Southern Lyon | 82 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5.0M |
| 2017-01-08 | FloodDayton, Lyon County | 0 | 0 | $1.6M | |
| 2008-12-25 | Strong WindChurchill County and 3 more · forecast zone Western Nevada Basin And Range | 49 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $685K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $3K, in the dollars of the day) holds: June 7, 1989 (tornado, Lyon County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Lyon County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 189 | 503 | 98 | 162 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 58 | 98 | 27 | 39 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 6 | 9 | 15 | 7 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 3 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | – | – | – | – | 3 | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 0 | 2 | 12 | 5 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Lyon County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 202 · Feb 162 · Mar 157 · Apr 143 · May 51 · Jun 45 · Jul 65 · Aug 17 · Sep 20 · Oct 37 · Nov 173 · Dec 250 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Lyon County
FEMA's register lists 14 declarations that include Lyon County: 8 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 2 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (4) and flood (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-04-27 | DR-4708 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2020-04-04 | DR-4523 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3443 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018-06-17 | FM-5242 | Fire | Upper Colony Fire |
| 2017-02-17 | DR-4303 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2008-01-08 | DR-1738 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 2006-06-27 | FM-2650 | Fire | Linehan Fire Complex |
| 2006-02-03 | DR-1629 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3243 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-02-23 | EM-3204 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2005-02-17 | EM-3202 | Snowstorm | Record and/Or Near Record Snow |
| 1997-01-03 | DR-1153 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Landslides |
| 1986-02-28 | DR-759 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1965-01-18 | DR-187 | Flood | Severe Storms, Heavy Rains & Flooding |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Lyon County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 37 flood or flash flood records for Lyon County from 1996 to 2026, on 31 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Lyon County ranks 2020th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $679,000 on 24 claims filed in Lyon County; the most in one year was 8 in 1997. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1986: 2 · 1997: 8 · 1999: 1 · 2005: 2 · 2006: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 1; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Lyon County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lyon County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $32.9 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Weather | Relatively High | $476K | 6.5 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate | $7.4M | once in about 187 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate | $12M | once in about 22 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $570K | 99 modeled event-days a year |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $893K | 4 modeled event-days a year |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $11M | 1 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $313K | 18 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $44K | once in about 67 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Lyon County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in NevadaEvery Nevada tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- High wind and dust storms in NevadaThe state's high wind and dust records, by county, year and month
- The Nevada recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Lyon CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Lyon County's FEMA declarations (CSV)14 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis