Henderson is located in a desert climate, so it doesn't experience disasters like hurricanes, but it does have unique types of natural disasters such as extreme heat, flash floods, earthquakes, and dust storms (Haboob). It's important to identify and prepare for these risks before moving.

The most frequent and impactful natural disaster is extreme heat. Henderson's summer temperatures can reach highs of 100 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (38 to 46 degrees Celsius) from June to September, with many days of such heat. In the summer of 2023, there were consecutive days that broke historical high-temperature records, and numerous heat-related fatalities were reported in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Outdoor activities should be avoided as much as possible between 10 AM and 5 PM, and staying hydrated and having access to cooling spaces becomes a matter of survival. Those who are new to the area often underestimate the desert heat, so extra caution is advised.

Flash floods are a natural disaster that occurs frequently in Henderson, despite being in a desert region. The hard soil in the desert has low water absorption, so when sudden heavy rain falls, the rainwater quickly flows to lower areas. During the summer monsoon season (July to September), heavy rain can cause roads and underpasses to flood in a matter of moments, which happens every year. 'Turn Around Don't Drown' is a phrase emphasized by the National Weather Service to drivers in flood warning areas, meaning never enter flooded roads. Even water that is 20 cm deep and flowing quickly can sweep away vehicles.

The risk of earthquakes cannot be completely ignored in Henderson. Nevada is the second most seismically active state in the U.S. after California. Several active fault lines run near Henderson, including the Spring Mountains Fault that passes through the Las Vegas area. In May 2020, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurred in the nearby California area of Caliente, causing tremors to be felt in the Las Vegas-Henderson area. While the risk of a major earthquake like those in California is low, it is recommended to know the locations of gas and water valves and to have basic earthquake preparedness supplies after moving.

Dust storms (Haboob or Dust Storm) occur intermittently in the spring and early summer. Strong gusts can lift large amounts of desert sand, quickly reducing visibility to near zero. If you encounter a dust storm while driving on the highway, you should pull completely over to the shoulder and stay with your lights off to prevent other vehicles from following your lights. Many people are surprised by this, as it goes against intuition. Dust storms also carry valley fever spores, so respiratory protection is important.

Tornadoes have a very low likelihood of occurring in Henderson. Nevada is one of the states with the lowest frequency of tornadoes in the U.S. The average number of tornadoes per year is in the single digits, and most are weak F0 to F1 grade. Rather than tornadoes, the extreme heat, floods, and dust storms mentioned earlier are the natural disasters that Henderson residents should realistically prepare for.

The City of Henderson and Clark County provide disaster preparedness information through the Ready Clark program, and you can receive emergency weather alerts by registering for FEMA's Alert System. After moving, it is recommended to check your smartphone's emergency notification settings, stockpile at least 72 hours' worth of emergency food, and organize medications and family emergency contact information as part of basic disaster preparedness.