Chaves County Disaster Risk
Chaves County, New Mexico
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
88th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#4
of 33 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
92th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 31% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Chaves County, New Mexico
Chaves County faces moderate-to-high risk
With a composite risk score of 87.63, Chaves County exceeds New Mexico's state average (58.92) and sits in the relatively moderate risk tier. The county's southeastern location exposes it to unique hazard combinations, including flood and wildfire threats that affect the region simultaneously.
Third-riskiest county in New Mexico
Chaves ranks third statewide for overall disaster risk, behind Doña Ana and Bernalillo counties. The county's exposure to multiple concurrent hazards—particularly flooding and wildfire—drives this elevated ranking.
Notably higher risk than eastern peers
Chaves's score of 87.63 substantially exceeds Curry County (61.83) and De Baca County (4.07) to its northeast. This positions Chaves as the higher-risk anchor in the southeastern plains region.
Floods and wildfires create compound threat
Flood risk (92.33) and wildfire risk (92.46) are nearly equal and both extreme, making Chaves particularly vulnerable to back-to-back disasters that can overwhelm response capacity. Hurricane risk (39.01), while modest compared to Gulf states, adds a secondary water hazard during storm season.
Flood and wildfire insurance critical
Obtain separate flood insurance immediately—it's not included in standard policies and claims often exceed expectations in Chaves County. Also verify wildfire coverage and consider additional protection for property in wildland-adjacent areas.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Chaves County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Chaves County
Risk Verdict
Chaves County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 88th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Chaves County.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Chaves County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 92th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (39th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile), tornado (21th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Chaves County's primary hazard at the 92th percentile nationally. For Chaves County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. The county's flood exposure at the 92th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Chaves County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Chaves County falls 28.7 points above New Mexico's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Chaves County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Chaves County, NM?
What types of natural hazards affect Chaves County?
How does Chaves County risk compare to the New Mexico average?
Is Chaves County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Chaves County higher risk than average?
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.