Lea County
New Mexico — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 86th
Lea County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 86.0, 86th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $45M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $10M |
| Hail | High | 2.60 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 47.53 / yr | $999K |
| Winter Weather | High | 6.41 / yr | $294K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.39 / yr | $25M |
| Drought | Medium | 115.37 / yr | $993K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.03 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.77 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.53 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.45 / yr | $123K |
| Tornado | Low | 1.26 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $22K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $52K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $1 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lea County?
Lea County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 86.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 86th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lea County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $10M EAL), Hail (High, $2M EAL), Lightning (High, $999K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lea County compare to other New Mexico counties?
Lea County ranks #5 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. Lea County's $45M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.