Enter any address in Quay County, New Mexico to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms dominates flood risk in Quay County. Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 23 flash flood events. Recent examples include significant severe weather impacting eastern New Mexico in late May 2023, with storms producing heavy rainfall, and widespread showers and thunderstorms occurring in July 2021 due to abundant moisture over the state.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that while Zone A areas have experienced more claims (7), Zone X_Unshaded areas have seen higher average payouts ($5,075) and greater average water depths (3.0 ft) in the few claims filed. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_Unshaded areas, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Quay County, New Mexico has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 23 flash floods. The county has received 7 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Mar 23, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Fire Threats | Fire | May 5, 2000 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 1997 |
| Drought | Drought | Mar 2, 1977 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2023 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2023 | 500.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 17, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 5, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 4, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 31, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2008 | 15.00K |
Flash Flood — May 26, 2023
Several consecutive days of significant severe weather impacted eastern New Mexico from May 24-26, 2023. Showers and thunderstorms developed along the dryline and east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on May 23rd. Storms tracked east and southeast across the eastern plains of New Mexico. Extensive severe weather was reported when these storms encountered greater moisture and lift closer...
Flash Flood — May 25, 2023
Several consecutive days of significant severe weather impacted eastern New Mexico from May 24-26, 2023. Showers and thunderstorms developed along the dryline and east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on May 23rd. Storms tracked east and southeast across the eastern plains of New Mexico. Extensive severe weather was reported when these storms encountered greater moisture and lift closer...
Flash Flood — Jul 17, 2021
Abundant moisture remained over New Mexico on July 17, 2021, as evident by precipitable water values in the 90th percentile. Despite an area of high pressure over the state, it was a very active day for northern and central New Mexico with widespread showers and thunderstorms. The most intense convection of the day came late in the evening as a weak disturbance rounded the high pressure and int...
Flash Flood — Oct 5, 2017
An upper level low pressure system developed over the Great Basin during the first week of October and delivered another round of widespread showers and thunderstorms to New Mexico. This weather pattern was similar to the pattern that impacted the area with severe storms and flooding at the end of September. Saturated soils over much of central and eastern New Mexico from late September exacerb...
Flash Flood — Oct 4, 2017
An upper level low pressure system developed over the Great Basin during the first week of October and delivered another round of widespread showers and thunderstorms to New Mexico. This weather pattern was similar to the pattern that impacted the area with severe storms and flooding at the end of September. Saturated soils over much of central and eastern New Mexico from late September exacerb...
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 Quay 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 Quay 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.