Enter any address in Taos County, New Mexico to see its FEMA flood zone
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Taos County, New Mexico has recorded 12 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 11 flash floods and 1 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, Flooding, And Mudslides | Flood | Sep 9, 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 |
| 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 | Aug 22, 2022 | 75.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2022 | 70.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2021 | 500.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2021 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 25, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2015 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 2, 2015 | 25.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 12, 2022
As the upper-level high pressure built over the Great Plains on August 12, 2022, much drier air pushed into eastern and central New Mexico. This led to a downtrend in thunderstorm coverage across much of the area while the monsoonal moisture plume focued across western New Mexico kept conditions relatively more active there. Despite this drier air, isolated thunderstorms were still able to form...
Flash Flood — Jul 21, 2021
With an area of high pressure centered over the Four Corners region, persistent northeasterly flow combined with sufficient low-level moisture supported another active monsoon day across northern and central New Mexico. Thunderstorm activity initiated over the northern high terrain by early afternoon, and thunderstorms intensified as the afternoon progressed as they tracked in a general southea...
Flash Flood — Aug 15, 2021
An abundant amount of moisture in place over northern and central New Mexico led to another active monsoon day on August 15, 2021. With southerly flow at the surface and northerly flow aloft, shear profiles were more supportive for stronger thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Thunderstorms initially formed over the high terrain of Colorado and New Mexico by early afternoon before propagating sout...
Flash Flood — Aug 9, 2018
The center of upper level high pressure shifted farther west into Arizona on August 9th and allowed weaker steering flow to become more north to south across New Mexico. Deep moisture and strong instability over the state allowed numerous showers and thunderstorms to develop over the higher terrain during the early afternoon before spreading into nearby highlands and valleys through the evening...
Flash Flood — Jul 5, 2018
The first significant surge of monsoon moisture of the 2018 season generated numerous showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy rainfall across New Mexico. The first thunderstorms of the day developed over the northeast and east central plains followed by scattered activity around the higher terrain of central and western New Mexico. Storm motions were slow to the west with localized areas o...
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 Taos 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 Taos 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.