Valencia County

New Mexico — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Medium

Composite Risk Score

82.3

National percentile: 82th

Valencia County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.3, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $38M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $38M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 76K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Earthquake
Medium $4M/yr
Riverine Flood
Medium $30M/yr
Lightning
High $913K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Earthquake Medium 0.00 / yr $4M
Riverine Flood Medium 0.61 / yr $30M
Lightning High 57.70 / yr $913K
Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $727K
Winter Weather Medium 7.60 / yr $190K
Heat Wave Low 2.42 / yr $724K
Hail Low 0.55 / yr $348K
Drought Low 53.49 / yr $174K
Strong Wind Low 0.27 / yr $209K
Tornado Very Low 0.07 / yr $175K
Volcanic Activity Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Avalanche Very Low 0.01 / yr $16
Cold Wave Very Low 0.05 / yr $130K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.01 / yr $6K
Landslide Very Low 0.19 / yr $19
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Hurricane Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Tsunami Very Low 0.00 / yr $0

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Valencia County?

Valencia County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Valencia County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $4M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $30M EAL), Lightning (High, $913K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Valencia County compare to other New Mexico counties?

Valencia County ranks #10 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. Valencia County's $38M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.