Enter any address in Socorro County, New Mexico to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms dominates Socorro County's flood events. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 51 flash flood events compared to 4 general flood events. For example, in August 2023, heavy rainfall near the Oscura Mountains caused water two to three feet deep to run over WSMR Range Road 7, carrying mud and debris. In July 2023, abundant monsoon moisture led to localized heavy rainfall, with one storm producing up to 2.50 inches in Rio Rancho, washing out roads with dirt and debris.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $21,983 for 12 claims. Properties in Zone X have also seen claims, averaging $15,357 for 4 claims. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X, particularly those without a documented Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
35 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Socorro County, New Mexico has recorded 55 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 51 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 12 federal disaster declarations, 2 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 |
| 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 | Flood | Jul 25, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 26, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Bernardo Fire-6-18-2004 | Fire | Jun 18, 2004 |
| Severe Fire Threats | Fire | May 5, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 7, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2022 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2022 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2021 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2021 | 500.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2021 | 15.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2025
A new multi-day plume of monsoon moisture advected northward into New Mexico between an upper level trough over the southern Baja Peninsula and an upper high over the south-central CONUS. Daily rounds of afternoon thunderstorms producing heavy rain developing over the mountains of New Mexico before moving over surrounding lower elevations through the evening resulted in several events of flash ...
Flash Flood — Oct 7, 2025
A backdoor front moved into eastern NM on October 6th. This front along with southeast return flow resulted in some isolated strong to severe storms across east central NM during the evening hours with one storm producing nickel size hail near Puerto de Luna. The front and higher moisture behind it pushed through the gaps of the central mountain chain into central New Mexico late October 6th in...
Flash Flood — Jul 3, 2025
Another burst of abundant monsoon moisture resulted in localized heavy rainfall July 2nd and overnight into July 3rd. Burn scar flash flooding off the Salt burn scar washed out culverts that then diverted water into the Cherokee Mobile home park near Ruidoso. A late night round of strong thunderstorms developing along middle Rio Grande Valley produced very heavy rainfall measuring 1 to near 2.5...
Flash Flood — Aug 25, 2023
Early morning storms drifting northward into southern Socorro County near the Oscura Mountains produced heavy rainfall. This resulted in water running over WSMR Range Road 7 that was two to three feet deep. Mud and debris was also reported.
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 Socorro 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 Socorro 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.