Catron County
New Mexico — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 37th
Catron County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.6, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Medium | 2.84 / yr | $59K |
| Lightning | High | 64.90 / yr | $490K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $368 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.14 / yr | $3M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.54 / yr | $22K |
| Drought | Very Low | 105.90 / yr | $6K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $103K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $7K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $3K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $546 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $774 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $2K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Catron County?
Catron County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Catron County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $3M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $59K EAL), Lightning (High, $490K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Catron County compare to other New Mexico counties?
Catron County ranks #26 of 33 New Mexico counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Catron County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.