Enter any address in Sierra County, New Mexico to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Sierra County. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 61 flash flood events, resulting in one death. For example, in July 2025, heavy rain associated with a deep southeast flow caused flash flooding around Luna, Sierra, and Otero counties. Another event in September 2025 brought flash flooding to the Monticello area due to locally heavy rain.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that while Zone A areas have experienced 8 claims with an average payout of $6,271 and 1.8 feet of water depth, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X have seen higher average payouts. Specifically, Zone X_UNSHADED had 2 claims averaging $15,200 with 5.0 feet of water depth, and Zone X had 1 claim averaging $68,454 with 2.0 feet of water depth. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X, 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.
Sierra County, New Mexico has recorded 63 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 61 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 13 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 (1972–2020)
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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 23, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Extreme Cold Temperatures | Severe Storm | Feb 1, 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 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 | Jul 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 19, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2020 | 2.40M |
| Flash Flood | Sep 10, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 28, 2025
An upper high over the lower Mississippi Valley brought a deep southeast flow of moisture directly over New Mexico which resulted in severe thunderstorm winds, heavy rain and numerous reports of flash flooding around Luna, Sierra and Otero counties.
Flash Flood — Sep 27, 2025
A negatively tilted trough was moving through southern California and northern Baja which tapped plenty of subtropical moisture. Locally heavy rain developed along the east slopes of the Blacks Range and brought flash flooding and wind damage to the Monticello area.
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 21, 2024
Modest moisture remained across the region with an upper level disturbance moving through northerly flow aloft. This disturbance triggered a severe thunderstorm east of Deming and some flash flooding around the Truth or Consequences area.
Flash Flood — Jun 22, 2022
Unusually deep moisture for late June was located over southwest New Mexico with some slow moving storms dropping significant rains across the area which led to flash flooding around Mesquite and Hillsboro.
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 Sierra 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 Sierra 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.