riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Bernalillo County Disaster Risk

Bernalillo County, New Mexico

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

94th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#2

of 33 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

96th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Bernalillo County

Risk Verdict

Bernalillo County carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 94th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Bernalillo County, scoring in the 98th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 96th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (95th), tornado (56th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Bernalillo County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Bernalillo County is significantly riskier than the average county in New Mexico. Its composite risk score is 35.5 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Bernalillo County, NM?
Bernalillo County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 94th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Bernalillo County?
Bernalillo County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (98th percentile), flooding (96th percentile), wildfire (95th percentile), tornado (56th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 98th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Bernalillo County risk compare to the New Mexico average?
Bernalillo County's composite risk percentile is 94th, compared to the New Mexico state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Bernalillo County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in New Mexico.
Is Bernalillo County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Bernalillo County's earthquake risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bernalillo County is at the 96th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Bernalillo County higher risk than average?
Bernalillo County's composite risk score of 94th percentile is above the New Mexico state average of 59th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (98th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Doña Ana County

New Mexico

+1.7

Relatively High

96th percentile

San Juan County

New Mexico

-6.1

Relatively Moderate

88th percentile

Chaves County

New Mexico

-6.8

Relatively Moderate

88th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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