Socorro County

New Mexico — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

61.5

National percentile: 61th

Socorro County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.5, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $12M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 17K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Wildfire
Low $489K/yr
Lightning
High $498K/yr
Hail
Medium $615K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $489K
Lightning High 60.90 / yr $498K
Hail Medium 0.26 / yr $615K
Riverine Flood Medium 1.39 / yr $9M
Earthquake Low 0.01 / yr $680K
Drought Medium 75.62 / yr $335K
Winter Weather Medium 8.38 / yr $56K
Ice Storm Low 0.04 / yr $50K
Avalanche Very Low 0.01 / yr $264
Volcanic Activity Very Low 0.00 / yr $5
Landslide Very Low 2.01 / yr $327
Heat Wave Very Low 0.63 / yr $65K
Cold Wave Very Low 0.06 / yr $143K
Strong Wind Very Low 0.18 / yr $35K
Tornado Very Low 0.24 / yr $20K
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 Socorro County?

Socorro County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Socorro County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $489K EAL), Lightning (High, $498K EAL), Hail (Medium, $615K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Socorro County compare to other New Mexico counties?

Socorro County ranks #19 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. Socorro County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.