Taos County
New Mexico — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Taos County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.3, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Avalanche | High | 0.13 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 25.13 / yr | $340K |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $54K |
| Lightning | High | 70.00 / yr | $696K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.43 / yr | $14M |
| Drought | Low | 110.59 / yr | $241K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $339K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.17 / yr | $413K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $179K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.73 / yr | $40K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $50K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $9K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | 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 Taos County?
Taos County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Taos County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $3M EAL), Avalanche (High, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $340K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Taos County compare to other New Mexico counties?
Taos County ranks #16 of 33 New Mexico counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. Taos County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.