riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Mora County Disaster Risk

Mora County, New Mexico

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

39th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#25

of 33 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

51th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% 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

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Mora County, New Mexico

Mora County: New Mexico's safest hazard profile

Mora County scores 38.77 on composite risk, earning a Very Low rating and ranking well below the national average. This modest risk level reflects a community with limited exposure to multiple simultaneous natural hazards.

Lowest composite risk in the state

Mora County's 38.77 score ranks it as one of New Mexico's least hazard-exposed counties, far below the state average of 58.92. The county benefits from its geographic position and landscape characteristics that minimize multi-hazard vulnerability.

Safest risk profile in its region

Mora County ranks significantly safer than neighboring Rio Arriba and San Juan counties, which face much higher composite risks. Its 38.77 score positions it as one of the region's most resilient communities from a natural hazard perspective.

Wildfire is Mora's defining threat

Wildfire risk dominates at 95.90, representing Mora County's most significant natural hazard concern despite the county's overall low composite risk. Flood risk at 50.73 ranks second, while earthquake and tornado risks remain comparatively modest.

Prioritize wildfire protection measures

Mora County residents should ensure homeowners insurance includes robust wildfire coverage and invest in defensible space around structures. Standard homeowners insurance should be sufficient for most residents, but verify that wildfire-specific perils are explicitly covered in your policy.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Mora County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    51th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    26th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Mora County

Risk Verdict

Mora County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 39th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Even at the 39th percentile, Mora County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Mora County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 51th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (26th percentile), tornado (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Mora County's primary hazard at the 96th percentile nationally. For Mora 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. A secondary flood exposure at the 51th percentile nationally means Mora County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Mora 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

Compared to the New Mexico county average, Mora County's composite score runs 20.1 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Mora County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Mora County, NM?
Mora County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 39th 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 Mora County?
Mora County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (96th percentile), flooding (51th percentile), earthquake (26th percentile), tornado (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 96th 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 Mora County risk compare to the New Mexico average?
Mora County's composite risk percentile is 39th, compared to the New Mexico state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Mora County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in New Mexico.
Is Mora County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Mora County's wildfire risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Mora County is at the 51th 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.
Is Mora County a safe place to live?
Mora County's composite risk score of 39th percentile is below the New Mexico state average of 59th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 96th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.