Otero County
New Mexico — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Otero County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.7, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $43M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $12M |
| Winter Weather | High | 4.86 / yr | $414K |
| Lightning | High | 60.95 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.96 / yr | $27M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $300K |
| Drought | Medium | 112.94 / yr | $587K |
| Hail | Medium | 0.66 / yr | $558K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.43 / yr | $4K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.42 / yr | $690K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $297K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.36 / yr | $314K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $162 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.19 / yr | $256K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.44 / yr | $64K |
| 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 Otero County?
Otero County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Otero County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $12M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $414K EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Otero County compare to other New Mexico counties?
Otero County ranks #7 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. Otero County's $43M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.