Nevada County, California
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 06057 · population 102,095 · 958 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 1,948 records for Nevada County, California from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 942 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (1,332 records). 1,822 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 February 15, 2026 avalanche, filed for the forecast zone Greater Lake Tahoe Area, which covers the county: 9 deaths. FEMA has issued 23 declarations naming the county since 1964, 21 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides” on April 3, 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
- 1,948on 942 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 69105 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $765Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 1strongest EF1
- FEMA declarations
- 23latest 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 Nevada County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 1,332 since 1996. 41% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. The rank column places the county among California'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 1,332 | 626 | 1996-2026 | 19 | 20 | $3.4M | 2 of 57 |
| High wind and dust storms | 291 | 205 | 1996-2026 | 4 | 3 | $11M | 6 of 57 |
| Drought | 64 | 46 | 2015-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 7 of 57 |
| Heavy rain | 63 | 55 | 1998-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 of 57 |
| Wildfires | 46 | 41 | 2007-2025 | 3 | 66 | $742M | 5 of 57 |
| Floods | 40 | 30 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 1 | $6.1M | 22 of 57 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 32 | 27 | 1996-2026 | 19 | 13 | $2.6M | 5 of 57 |
| Heat | 24 | 16 | 2000-2025 | 1 | 0 | – | 28 of 57 |
| Extreme cold | 18 | 17 | 1997-2025 | 18 | 2 | – | 20 of 57 |
| Hail | 18 | 16 | 1972-2023 | 0 | 0 | $969 | 5 of 57 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 10 | 10 | 1996-2022 | 2 | 0 | $249K | 27 of 57 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 4 | 4 | 1957-2023 | 0 | 0 | $10K | 27 of 57 |
| Lightning | 3 | 3 | 1999-2012 | 1 | 0 | $27K | 13 of 57 |
| Rip currents and high surf | 2 | 1 | 2021-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 27 of 57 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 1 | 2012-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 42 of 57 |
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 Nevada County had?
NOAA records 1 tornado in Nevada County from 2012 to 2012, the strongest rated EF1, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. 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 1 tornado whose track touched Nevada County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 1, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in California.
Every tornado record filed for Nevada County (1)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-10-22 | Wolf, Nevada County | EF1 4.02 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
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 Nevada County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the February 15, 2026 avalanche (9 deaths).
Nevada Co Sheriff responded to a report of avalanche just north of Frog Lake near Castle Peak during the afternoon on the 17th. The avalanche caught a buried 15 backcountry skiers, resulting in 9 fatalities.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1316161)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-21 | Heavy SnowSierra County and 2 more · forecast zone Sierra Nevada Of Sierra-Nevada-Placer Counties Above 5000 Ft Including Interstate 80 | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-21 | Winter WeatherAlpine County and 3 more · forecast zone Greater Lake Tahoe Area | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-11 | FloodWolf, Nevada County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-11 | Heavy SnowAlpine County and 3 more · forecast zone Greater Lake Tahoe Area | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-10 | Heavy SnowAlpine County and 8 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-02 | High WindAlpine County and 3 more · forecast zone Greater Lake Tahoe Area | 119 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-01 | Heavy SnowAlpine County and 3 more · forecast zone Greater Lake Tahoe Area | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-24 | High WindAlpine County and 3 more · forecast zone Greater Lake Tahoe Area | 58 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-19 | Heavy SnowAlpine County and 3 more · forecast zone Greater Lake Tahoe Area | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-15 | Heavy SnowAlpine County and 3 more · forecast zone Greater Lake Tahoe Area | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-15 | AvalancheAlpine County and 3 more · forecast zone Greater Lake Tahoe Area | 9 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-15 | Winter StormAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Motherlode/Camptonville To Groveland | 0 | 0 | $100K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-15 | AvalancheAlpine County and 3 more · forecast zone Greater Lake Tahoe Area Nevada Co Sheriff responded to a report of avalanche just north of Frog Lake near Castle Peak during the afternoon on the 17th. The avalanche caught a buried 15 backcountry skiers, resulting in 9 fatalities. | 9 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-18 | Cold/Wind ChillAlpine County and 8 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada Placer County Sheriff reported the missing hikers entered the water on June 18th and did not surface. Their bodies were recovered on June 22nd. Air temperatures at the time were in the mid 70s to 80s at the time of the report with water temperatures in the 40s to 50s. | 3 | 0 | – | |
| 2020-05-28 | Cold/Wind ChillAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Motherlode/Camptonville To Groveland Three men went missing after being swept into the Cosumnes River in El Dorado County on Thursday. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office said at around 4pm a caller reported seeing the men get swept into the river and disappear. Sheriff’s deputies, a dive team, a helicopter, and multiple fire and rescue crews all ... | 3 | 0 | – | |
| 2015-09-09 | WildfireAlpine County and 6 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada There were 70,868 acres were burned in the Butte Fire, the 7th most destructive fire in California history. There were 475 residences and 343 outbuildings destroyed, and 45 structures damaged. In the fire there were 2 civilian fatalities and 1 injury. The cause has tentatively been attributed to a PG&E power line ... | 2 | 1 | – | |
| 2024-06-25 | Cold/Wind ChillAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Motherlode/Camptonville To Groveland Crews responded to the report of a possible drowning at Lake Clementine Trail before 5:30 p.m on June 25th, 2024. A communications manager for California State Parks said three people had attempted to swim across the river and were swept downstream by the current. A 33-year-old man was found dead in the water, the El ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2021-05-14 | Cold/Wind ChillAlpine County and 6 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada Tuolumne County Sheriff has confirmed two deaths at Gods Bath Swimming Hole along the Clavey River in Stanislaus National Forest. Originally reported as 3 victims in the search and rescue, 2 were then confirmed deceased and one is recovering. Appears to be cold-water / swift-water related, as water temperatures are in ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2018-03-04 | Winter WeatherAlpine County and 6 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada A mother and son died after returning from a day of skiing to their vacation condominium in Kirkwood. A chunk of snow about the size of a trailer fell from the roof of their vacation condominium, burying them under about 3 feet of snow. | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2014-12-24 | Dense FogAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Motherlode/Camptonville To Groveland A single engine plane (Cessna 172) crashed on a remote hillside between Gopher Flat Road and Amador Road, just north of Sutter Creek, in Amador County, CA. There were 2 adult male fatalities. The plane was flying from Gilroy, CA to Sutter Creek, CA. Foggy conditions were present at Auburn Airport to the north, between ... | 2 | 0 | $249K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-06-24 | WildfireAlpine County and 3 more · forecast zone Greater Lake Tahoe Area | 0 | 3 | $712M | |
| 2025-09-02 | WildfireAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Motherlode/Camptonville To Groveland | 0 | 1 | $25M | |
| 2024-07-02 | WildfireButte County and 5 more · forecast zone Central Sacramento Valley | 0 | 0 | $4.9M | |
| 2017-02-08 | FloodNevada City, Nevada County | 0 | 0 | $4.3M | |
| 2008-01-04 | High WindAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Motherlode/Camptonville To Groveland | 80 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1.6M |
| 2017-01-10 | Debris FlowBirchville, Nevada County | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | |
| 2019-02-04 | Heavy SnowAmador County and 6 more · forecast zone Motherlode/Camptonville To Groveland | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | |
| 2014-12-30 | High WindAlpine County and 6 more · forecast zone West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada | 54 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $997K |
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 Nevada 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 161 | 419 | 362 | 390 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 14 | 58 | 68 | 151 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 27 | 37 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 3 | 6 | 35 | 19 |
| Wildfires | – | – | – | – | 0 | 9 | 15 | 22 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 6 | 8 | 11 | 15 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
41% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 373 · Feb 341 · Mar 262 · Apr 159 · May 57 · Jun 38 · Jul 44 · Aug 28 · Sep 42 · Oct 79 · Nov 187 · Dec 338 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Nevada County
FEMA's register lists 23 declarations that include Nevada County: 16 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 3 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (7) and fire (7).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-04-03 | DR-4699 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2023-03-10 | EM-3592 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2023-01-14 | DR-4683 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2021-08-24 | DR-4610 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 2020-08-22 | DR-4558 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 2020-08-18 | FM-5332 | Fire | Jones Fire |
| 2020-03-22 | DR-4482 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3428 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2017-10-10 | DR-4344 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 2017-10-09 | FM-5217 | Fire | Lobo Fire |
| 2017-04-01 | DR-4308 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2017-02-14 | DR-4301 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2009-08-15 | FM-2825 | Fire | Yuba Fire |
| 2006-06-05 | DR-1646 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2006-02-03 | DR-1628 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3248 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 1997-01-04 | DR-1155 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Landslides |
| 1995-03-12 | DR-1046 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding Landslides, Mud Flow |
| 1995-01-10 | DR-1044 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mud Flows |
| 1988-09-29 | DR-815 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 1986-02-21 | DR-758 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1977-01-20 | EM-3023 | Drought | Drought |
| 1964-12-24 | DR-183 | Flood | 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 Nevada County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 40 flood or flash flood records for Nevada County from 1996 to 2026, on 30 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Nevada County ranks 1540th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.1 million on 63 claims filed in Nevada County; the most in one year was 15 in 2017. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1982: 1 · 1983: 2 · 1986: 1 · 1993: 1 · 1995: 3 · 1996: 3 · 1997: 11 · 1999: 2 · 2002: 3 · 2005: 9 · 2006: 2 · 2009: 1 · 2010: 1 · 2012: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2017: 15 · 2019: 2 · 2023: 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 Nevada County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Nevada County Relatively Moderate overall, with an expected annual loss of $80.6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Relatively High | $32M | once in about 87 years (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Relatively High | $1.6M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate | $148K | 2.3 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate | $7.3M | once in about 30 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $37M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $492K | 14 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $124K | 28 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $517K | 4.3 modeled event-days a year |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Nevada 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 CaliforniaEvery California tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Winter storms in CaliforniaThe state's winter storm records, by county, year and month
- The California recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Nevada CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Nevada County's FEMA declarations (CSV)23 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis