Enter any address in Cibola County, New Mexico to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood hazard in Cibola County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 35 recorded flash flood events compared to 2 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding observed south of Grants on August 26, 2025, and near El Malpais on September 28, 2025, both linked to monsoon moisture.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $25,722 for an average water depth of 1.3 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED have also seen claims, with an average payout of $20,388, though with a significantly higher average water depth of 12.0 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X_SHADED should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
23 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cibola County, New Mexico has recorded 37 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 35 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 9 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (2000–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Flood | Sep 9, 2013 |
| Flooding | Flood | Aug 19, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jul 25, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 26, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Fire Threats | Fire | May 5, 2000 |
| Severe Forest Fire | Fire | May 5, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 26, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2022 | 75.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2022 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2021 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 29, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 28, 2025
A troughing pattern from the Pacific brought in a late season monsoon burst of moisture to the Desert Southwest. Strong to severe thunderstorms developed over portions of the state with more locally heavy rainfall events occurring from the abundant monsoon moisture. Flash flooding was observed in several locations ranging from near El Malpais south of Grants, NM, in Navajo Nation west of Crownp...
Flash Flood — Aug 26, 2025
Higher moisture moved into eastern and central New Mexico behind a backdoor front resulting in a greater coverage of showers and thunderstorms across the middle Rio Grande Valley, central mountain chain, and northeast New Mexico. Repeated round of thunderstorms resulted in flash flooding on the Ruidoso area burn scars, State Highway 117 in central Cibola County south of Grants and downstream of...
Flash Flood — Jun 27, 2024
Record levels of monsoon moisture remained in place across NM as an upper level disturbance approached from the west and pushed the upper level high over the state south into New Mexico. Showers and thunderstorms developed over the high terrain in northeastern New Mexico midday June 26th, spreading over central and eastern NM during the afternoon and evening hours. These outflow boundaries prod...
Flash Flood — Jun 21, 2024
A burst of monsoon moisture surged into eastern NM the morning of June 19th and surged through the gaps of the central mountain chain bringing high wind gusts of up to 58 miles per hour to parts of the Albuquerque metro that afternoon and evening. The strong east canyon wind during the evening resulted in a downed tree in the northeast heights of Albuquerque. The monsoon moisture surged through...
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2022
Monsoon season got off to an early start, and that momentum continued throughout the entire month of July with yet another very busy and active day on July 31, 2022. Per usual, thunderstorms developed early in the day across the high terrain areas before becoming more widespread throughout the evening. Many of these thunderstorms were capable of producing heavy rain which resulted in flash floo...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Cibola County, New Mexico:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Cibola County, New Mexico that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.