McKinley County
New Mexico — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 78th
McKinley County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 78.2, 78th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 54.72 / yr | $938K |
| Winter Weather | High | 15.48 / yr | $230K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.05 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Medium | 1.63 / yr | $22K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.43 / yr | $15M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $191K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $717K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9 |
| Heat Wave | Low | 0.63 / yr | $119K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $45 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $14K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $25K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $8K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 101.01 / 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 McKinley County?
McKinley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 78.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 78th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in McKinley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $938K EAL), Winter Weather (High, $230K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does McKinley County compare to other New Mexico counties?
McKinley County ranks #13 of 33 New Mexico counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. McKinley County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.