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

Santa Fe County Disaster Risk

Santa Fe County, New Mexico

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

86th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#6

of 33 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

88th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Santa Fe County, New Mexico

Santa Fe faces above-average U.S. risk

Santa Fe County's composite risk score of 85.97 and 'Relatively Moderate' rating reflect meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazards beyond the typical U.S. county profile. The county's elevation and geography create compounded risks across wildfires, floods, and earthquakes.

Highest risk in New Mexico

Santa Fe County ranks as the riskiest county in New Mexico with a score of 85.97, significantly exceeding the state average of 58.92. The county's composite score reflects extreme wildfire (98.19) and high earthquake (89.50) and flood (88.36) risks.

Notably riskier than surrounding counties

Santa Fe's 85.97 score substantially exceeds Taos (74.27) and San Miguel (74.59), making it the region's highest-risk county. The gap widens dramatically compared to lower-elevation southern counties like Torrance (46.15), highlighting the elevation and forest cover effect.

Wildfires, earthquakes, and floods converge

Wildfire risk reaches 98.19—the highest in the state—driven by dense forestland and dry conditions, as demonstrated by recent major fires like the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire. Earthquake risk of 89.50 and flood risk of 88.36 create additional compounded exposure that affects property throughout the county.

Comprehensive coverage is non-negotiable

Santa Fe residents must prioritize earthquake insurance and separate flood coverage alongside standard homeowners policies, given the county's multiple high-risk hazards. Professional defensible-space management around structures—especially clearing within 100 feet—is critical mitigation for the county's extreme wildfire risk of 98.19.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Santa Fe County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    98th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    90th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    88th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Santa Fe County

Risk Verdict

Santa Fe County faces a moderate natural disaster risk profile, ranking at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's composite risk model. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Santa Fe County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 90th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (88th percentile), tornado (25th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Santa Fe County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 98th percentile nationally. Santa Fe County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 90th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Santa Fe County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

Santa Fe County's composite risk score sits 27.1 points above the New Mexico county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe County, NM?
Santa Fe County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 86th 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 Santa Fe County?
Santa Fe County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (98th percentile), earthquake (90th percentile), flooding (88th percentile), tornado (25th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire 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 Santa Fe County risk compare to the New Mexico average?
Santa Fe County's composite risk percentile is 86th, compared to the New Mexico state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Santa Fe County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in New Mexico.
Is Santa Fe County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Santa Fe County's wildfire risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Santa Fe County is at the 88th 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 Santa Fe County higher risk than average?
Santa Fe County's composite risk score of 86th percentile is above the New Mexico state average of 59th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (98th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding 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

Lea County

New Mexico

+0.0

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

Otero County

New Mexico

-1.3

Relatively Moderate

85th percentile

Chaves County

New Mexico

+1.7

Relatively Moderate

88th percentile

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.

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