De Baca County Disaster Risk
De Baca County, New Mexico
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
4th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#31
of 33 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
11th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 11% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 4% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 4% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in De Baca County, New Mexico
De Baca County has exceptionally low risk
At 4.07, De Baca County's composite risk score ranks among the lowest in the nation, well below New Mexico's state average (58.92) and the national median. This rural, sparsely populated county enjoys exceptional protection from most major natural disaster threats.
Safest county in New Mexico
De Baca County ranks lowest statewide for overall disaster risk, making it New Mexico's least vulnerable community. The county's remote location, minimal population, and favorable hazard geography combine to create this exceptional safety profile.
Far safer than surrounding counties
De Baca's 4.07 score is dramatically lower than all neighbors, including Chaves County (87.63) to the south and Curry County (61.83) to the north. The county stands alone in its minimal risk tier across central New Mexico.
Wildfire is the only notable threat
Wildfire risk (77.45) is De Baca's sole significant hazard, though even this ranks well below wildfire threats in neighboring counties. Flood (11.48), tornado (3.88), and earthquake (3.98) risks all remain negligible.
Standard insurance generally sufficient
De Baca residents can rely primarily on standard homeowners insurance, though those in forested areas should verify wildfire coverage. The county's exceptionally low overall risk means you can focus resources elsewhere rather than specialized disaster protection.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in De Baca County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: De Baca County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, De Baca County ranks at the 4th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. The 4th percentile national ranking is one lens; De Baca County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is De Baca County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 11th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (4th percentile), tornado (4th percentile).
Preparedness Context
De Baca County sits at the 77th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for De Baca County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's flood exposure at the 11th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In De Baca County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
At 54.8 points below the New Mexico state average, De Baca County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for De Baca County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in De Baca County, NM?
What types of natural hazards affect De Baca County?
How does De Baca County risk compare to the New Mexico average?
Is De Baca County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is De Baca County a safe place to live?
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.