Enter any address in Grant County, New Mexico to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms dominates Grant County's flood risk. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 64 flash flood events, compared to 5 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in the Trout burn scar and along Highway 180 northwest of Deming on July 2, 2025, and heavy rain and flash flooding in Grant and Sierra counties on July 18, 2025, due to deep southeast flow.
While flash flooding is frequent, flood insurance claims data from FEMA indicates that properties in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded have experienced higher average payouts, with Zone X claims showing an average water depth of 41 feet. Homeowners in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near burn scars or along transportation corridors, as well as those in higher-risk flood zones (Zone A) or areas with less defined flood risk (Zone X, Zone X_Unshaded), should pay close attention to their flood risk and insurance needs.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Grant County, New Mexico has recorded 69 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 64 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 13 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Trout Fire | Fire | Jun 16, 2025 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Whitewater-baldy Fire Complex | Fire | May 23, 2012 |
| Quail Ridge Fire | Fire | Mar 7, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 26, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Fire Threats | Fire | May 5, 2000 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Jan 5, 1993 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Jan 18, 1985 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 2, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 22, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 21, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 25, 2025
An upper trough was moving through the Great Basin region with some weak convergence setup over the Rio Grande Valley which contributed to severe thunderstorm development and flash flooding. Storms also developed over the Gila region which brought heavy rain to the Trout burn scar resulting in some flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 18, 2025
A deep southeast flow brought plenty of moisture into the region. Storms formed over area mountains and along a mid-level convergence area along the Rio Grande Valley which brought heavy rain and flash flooding to Grant and Sierra counties.
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2025
A deep southerly flow across New Mexico ahead of an upper trough over the southwestern U.S. brought heavy rain to the Gila region and the Trout burn scar.
Flash Flood — Jul 2, 2025
South to southeast flow at the surface combined with weak southerly flow aloft ahead of a west coast trough brought plenty of moisture into the Borderland with slow storm motion. The heavy rain brought flash flooding to the recent Trout burn scar as well as along Highway 180 northwest of Deming. An isolated severe thunderstorm brought wind damage to the Truth or Consequences area.
Flash Flood — Jul 27, 2022
Deep monsoon moisture moved back into southern New Mexico from the southeast. Light winds aloft kept storms moving slowly which allowed for heavy rain and flash flooding to occur in Grant and Otero counties.
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 Grant 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 Grant 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.