Enter any address in Santa Fe County, New Mexico to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Santa Fe County. Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 92 flash flood events and 5 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on June 24, 2025, due to monsoon moisture, and flash flooding on September 5, 2025, across the Pojoaque Pueblo between Santa Fe and Espanola, influenced by the remnants of Hurricane Lorena.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced 20 claims with an average payout of $31,096 and an average water depth of 3.2 feet. Properties in Zone X have had 18 claims with an average payout of $13,859 and an average water depth of 6.2 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in Zone X who have experienced deeper flooding, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
55 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Santa Fe County, New Mexico has recorded 97 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 92 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 10 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 (1973–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 15, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Flood | Sep 9, 2013 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Nm - Borrego Fire - 5-23-02 | Fire | May 22, 2002 |
| Severe Fire Threats | Fire | May 5, 2000 |
| Severe Forest Fire | Fire | May 5, 2000 |
| Severe Storms, Snowmelt & Flooding | Flood | Jun 23, 1979 |
| Severe Storms, Snow Melt & Flooding | Flood | May 11, 1973 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2025 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 17, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2022 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2022 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2022 | 50.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2025
A disturbance rotating north around the upper high circulation centered over south central U.S. followed by a backdoor front entering eastern New Mexico in the middle of the week increased monsoon moisture and shower and thunderstorm coverage across the state. Daily slow moving thunderstorms on the Ruidoso burn scars during the afternoon hours resulted in several occurrences flash flooding on a...
Flash Flood — Jun 24, 2025
An early season plume of monsoon moisture advected northward into New Mexico from June 22nd through the 24th bringing several days of flash flooding and severe weather across portions of northern and central NM. June 22nd in particular saw severe thunderstorms produce numerous severe wind gusts of 60 mph or stronger across eastern NM from Roswell to Nara Visa with reports of downed utility pole...
Flash Flood — Sep 5, 2025
A surge in monsoon moisture from the remnants of Hurricane Lorena in the eastern Pacific combined with disturbances embedded in the northwest flow aloft resulting in a higher coverage of showers and thunderstorms across northern and central NM. Thunderstorms during the evening hours on September 5th resulted in flash flooding across the Pojoaque Pueblo between Santa Fe and Espanola.
Flash Flood — Jul 18, 2024
A favorable placement of the monsoon high over NM and then shifting to the west allowed for an influx of moisture and instability over the state of NM. Daily rounds of of showers and storms starting over the higher terrain midday spreading to lower elevation in the evening before slowly dissipating overnight each day. There were several reports of flash flooding over portions of central NM and ...
Flash Flood — Jul 17, 2024
A favorable placement of the monsoon high over NM and then shifting to the west allowed for an influx of moisture and instability over the state of NM. Daily rounds of of showers and storms starting over the higher terrain midday spreading to lower elevation in the evening before slowly dissipating overnight each day. There were several reports of flash flooding over portions of central NM and ...
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 Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe 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.