Nevada · Preparedness Guide
Ready for what Nevada actually throws at you.
Extreme heat in the desert, wildfires across the Great Basin, flash floods in slot canyons, and an economy so dependent on tourism that a single disaster can cut off 40% of the workforce overnight.
About this guide
Built for Nevada. Not everywhere.
Nevada's hazards are shaped by its geography — the driest state in the country, dominated by the Great Basin desert, with two major population centers (Las Vegas and Reno) and vast stretches of near-empty high desert in between. Las Vegas sits in the Mojave Desert, where summer temperatures routinely exceed 115°F and the urban heat island effect makes nighttime temperatures brutal. The Las Vegas water supply — almost entirely dependent on Lake Mead and the Colorado River — is in a long-term crisis; Nevada has cut its allocation and invested heavily in reclamation, but the water future remains uncertain. Reno and northern Nevada burn every summer. And Nevada's casino-dependent economy means a major disaster can produce mass unemployment in days — as COVID demonstrated when 500,000+ Nevadans filed for UI in 2020.
Local self-reliance starts with knowing your place.
Quick facts
Top hazards: Extreme Heat, Wildfires, Drought & Water Security
NV has expanded Medicaid — adults up to 138% FPL may qualify
USDA hardiness zones: 4b (northeastern NV / Elko highlands) to 10a (Las Vegas / Mojave Desert)
Unemployment: up to $469/week for 26 weeks
Free or low-cost soil testing available through the state extension service
Seven topics, one state
What this guide covers.
Each section focuses on one question. Find what you need without wading through what you don't.
Local Risk Readiness
Official maps and tools for flood, fire, earthquake, water, dam, river, and local hazard awareness.
Am I at risk? →
Local Learning
Find nearby courses, extension programs, and emergency training that build practical skills.
Where do I learn? →
Local Community
Connect with local gatherings, neighbor-help efforts, civic groups, and community support networks.
What's happening near me? →
Local Emergency
Find official alerts, emergency agencies, trauma centers, and crisis-response information near you.
Who do I call? →
Local Gardening
Use local frost dates, planting zones, soil data, extension calendars, and composting guidance.
What can I grow? →
Local Safety Net
Find food, utility, health, unemployment, and 211 resources before hardship becomes crisis.
Where can I find help? →
Local Transportation
Find your county transit provider, demand-response ride service, and carpool matching options.
How do I get around? →
Checklists
Simple step-by-step preparedness checklists for your home, family, garden, documents, and local risks.
What do I do next? →
Get specific
Make it personal to your county.
Enter your ZIP code to see real-time weather alerts, drought conditions, FEMA disaster declarations, and county-level resources.
Next steps
Where do you want to go next?
Know your risks
See what's actually likely where you live.
Flood zones, hazard maps, and the NV risks that apply to your county.
Local Risk ReadinessBuild the basics
Start with three days of self-reliance.
The universal first step — before you personalize, get the 72-hour foundation in place.
First 72 Hours