Torrance County Disaster Risk
Torrance County, New Mexico
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
46th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#24
of 33 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
63th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 63% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 64% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Torrance County, New Mexico
Torrance ranks among safest U.S. counties
Torrance County's composite risk score of 46.15 and 'Relatively Low' rating place it below the typical U.S. county in overall natural disaster exposure. The county's lower-risk profile reflects its lower-elevation, semi-arid landscape with reduced flood and seismic vulnerability.
New Mexico's safest county
Torrance County ranks as New Mexico's lowest-risk county with a score of 46.15, well below the state average of 58.92. The county's lower elevation and drier climate significantly reduce flood, earthquake, and composite risk compared to northern mountain counties.
Substantially safer than all peers
Torrance's 46.15 score is the lowest among all central and northern New Mexico counties, sitting notably below Socorro (61.48), Santa Fe (85.97), and Sandoval (76.97). The county benefits from its flatter terrain and position in the state's drier central plateau.
Wildfire presents the main hazard
Wildfire risk of 91.41 is Torrance's standout concern, creating exposure despite the county's otherwise low composite risk profile. Earthquake risk of 63.52 and flood risk of 62.85 remain relatively modest, reflecting the county's safer geographic position.
Standard coverage with wildfire focus
Torrance homeowners can rely on standard homeowners insurance for most protections, given the county's overall low-risk profile below the state average. Wildfire mitigation—maintaining defensible space and clearing brush—addresses the county's primary natural hazard exposure without requiring extraordinary insurance additions.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Torrance County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Torrance County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 46th, Torrance County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. At the 46th percentile, Torrance County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Torrance County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 64th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (63th percentile), tornado (10th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 91th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Torrance County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 64th percentile nationally means Torrance County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Torrance County residents.
Regional Context
Torrance County falls 12.8 points below New Mexico's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.
Is your household prepared for Torrance County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.