Sandoval County, New Mexico Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NM
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 77th
Sandoval County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 77.0, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Sandoval County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 77.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 77th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $90K in expected annual loss and about 1.93 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 65.14 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $32M in expected annual loss for a population of 148K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sandoval County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Sandoval County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 9 for fire events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Wildfires, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Mudflows, and Debris Flows (fire), declared in May 2022.
Among 33 New Mexico counties, Sandoval County ranks #14 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.93 / yr | $90K |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 65.14 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.36 / yr | $21M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.42 / yr | $172K |
| Hail | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $582K |
| Drought | Medium | 127.10 / yr | $528K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.20 / yr | $353K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $147 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.06 / yr | $262K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $283K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11K |
| Volcanic Activity | 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
Sandoval County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Wildfires, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Mudflows, and Debris Flows in May 2022. Most frequent causes: Fire (9), Severe Storm (4), Flood (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2022 | Fire | Wildfires, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Mudflows, and Debris Flows |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2017 | Fire | El Cajete Fire |
| October 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2012 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2012 | Fire | Romero Fire |
| November 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sandoval County?
Sandoval County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 77.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sandoval County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $90K EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sandoval County compare to other New Mexico counties?
Sandoval County ranks #14 of 33 New Mexico counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sandoval County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Sandoval County since 1973, most often 9 for fire events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Wildfires, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Mudflows, and Debris Flows, declared in May 2022.
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. Sandoval County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.