riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Valencia County Disaster Risk

Valencia County, New Mexico

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

82th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#10

of 33 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

90th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Valencia County

Risk Verdict

Valencia County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 82th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Valencia County, scoring in the 90th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 90th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (87th), tornado (19th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Valencia County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Valencia County is significantly riskier than the average county in New Mexico. Its composite risk score is 23.3 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Valencia County, NM?
Valencia County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 82th 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 Valencia County?
Valencia County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (90th percentile), flooding (90th percentile), wildfire (87th percentile), tornado (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 90th 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 Valencia County risk compare to the New Mexico average?
Valencia County's composite risk percentile is 82th, compared to the New Mexico state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Valencia County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in New Mexico.
Is Valencia County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Valencia County's earthquake risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Valencia County is at the 90th 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 Valencia County higher risk than average?
Valencia County's composite risk score of 82th percentile is above the New Mexico state average of 59th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (90th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire 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

Eddy County

New Mexico

+1.4

Relatively Moderate

84th percentile

Rio Arriba County

New Mexico

-1.7

Relatively Low

81th percentile

Roosevelt County

New Mexico

+1.8

Relatively Moderate

84th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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