Curry County, New Mexico Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NM
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 62th
Curry County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.8, 62th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Curry County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 61.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 62nd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 103.53 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $678K in expected annual loss and about 8.48 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $21M in expected annual loss for a population of 48K.
Beyond physical exposure, Curry County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Curry County has received 6 federal disaster declarations since 2000, including 2 for biological events and 2 for fire events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 33 New Mexico counties, Curry County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 103.53 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | High | 8.48 / yr | $678K |
| Hail | Medium | 2.91 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.27 / yr | $634K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.49 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 49.89 / yr | $294K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.30 / yr | $644K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.79 / yr | $7M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.47 / yr | $706K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.37 / yr | $41K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $90K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $5 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Curry County has received 6 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Fire (2), Severe Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2011 | Fire | Tire Fire |
| April 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2000 | Fire | Severe Fire Threats |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Curry County?
Curry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 62th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Curry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $4M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $4M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $678K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Curry County compare to other New Mexico counties?
Curry County ranks #18 of 33 New Mexico counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Curry County had?
FEMA records 6 federal disaster declarations for Curry County since 2000, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for fire events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. Curry County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.