Curry County Disaster Risk
Curry County, New Mexico
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
62th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#18
of 33 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
52th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 32% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Curry County, New Mexico
Curry County near national average risk
With a composite risk score of 61.83, Curry County slightly exceeds New Mexico's state average (58.92) and earns a relatively low risk rating. This eastern plains county faces moderate hazard exposure, with unique challenges from both storms and wildfires.
Below-average risk for New Mexico
Curry ranks in the lower half of New Mexico counties for overall disaster risk, well below counties like Bernalillo and Doña Ana. The county's plains geography provides some natural buffering against extreme hazard concentration.
Safer than Chaves County to south
Curry's 61.83 score runs notably lower than Chaves County (87.63) despite both occupying the eastern plains region. This difference reflects Curry's somewhat lower flood and wildfire exposure.
Wildfire and tornado as dual threats
Wildfire risk (95.71) and tornado risk (58.91) dominate Curry's hazard profile—an unusual pairing that reflects the county's position at the convergence of plains storms and dry forest zones. Flood risk (52.48) ranks lower but still merits attention during heavy precipitation events.
Dual preparedness for fire and storms
Prepare your home for both wildfire and severe weather: secure a safe room, maintain defensible space, and have evacuation plans ready for fire season. Verify that your homeowners policy covers both wildfire and wind damage, as both are real threats in Curry County.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Curry County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Curry County
Risk Verdict
Curry County ranks at the 62th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Curry County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (52th percentile), earthquake (32th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Curry County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Curry County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. A secondary tornado exposure at the 59th percentile nationally means Curry County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Curry County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.
Regional Context
The county's composite score diverges by only 2.9 points from the New Mexico average, making Curry County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Curry County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Curry County, NM?
What types of natural hazards affect Curry County?
How does Curry County risk compare to the New Mexico average?
Is Curry County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Curry 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.