Chaves County
New Mexico — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Chaves County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.6, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $51M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 143.74 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | High | 0.53 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 5.76 / yr | $401K |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.50 / yr | $37M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.47 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 50.84 / yr | $753K |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.40 / yr | $448K |
| Hail | Low | 1.50 / yr | $353K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $20K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.16 / yr | $380K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $62K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 1.02 / yr | $167 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $182K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Chaves County?
Chaves County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Chaves County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $5M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $401K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Chaves County compare to other New Mexico counties?
Chaves County ranks #4 of 33 New Mexico counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Chaves County's $51M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.