Enter any address in Valencia County, New Mexico to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms dominates flood events in Valencia County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 20 flash flood events and 4 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in June 2025 due to monsoon moisture, and burn scar flash flooding near Ruidoso in July 2025.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that Zone A properties have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $8,159 and an average water depth of 3.4 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X_UNSHADED have also seen claims with higher average payouts and water depths, suggesting that homes in these areas, as well as those in Zone A, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
17 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Valencia County, New Mexico has recorded 24 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 15 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 (1973–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Landslides | Flood | Jun 23, 2025 |
| Cotton 2 Fire | Fire | Jun 22, 2025 |
| Desert Willow Fire Complex | Fire | Jun 21, 2025 |
| Rio Grande Fire | Fire | Apr 17, 2025 |
| Big Hole Fire | Fire | Apr 11, 2022 |
| Wildfires, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Mudflows, And Debris Flows | Fire | Apr 5, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Ironworks Fire | Fire | Mar 7, 2019 |
| Belen Fire | Fire | Feb 23, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 4, 2025 | 40.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2022 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2021 | 500.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2018 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 30, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 29, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 29, 2017 | 7500.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 5, 2017 | 0.00K |
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 — Jun 4, 2025
An upper low moved across the desert southwest June 1st into June 2nd helping to pull up higher moisture from former Tropical Storm Alvin in the eastern Pacific. Widespread showers and storms developed across New Mexico during the day June 2nd as the upper low moved into the state. Storms resulted in severe wind gusts in Clovis, penny size hail and flash flooding in Albuquerque and Farmington. ...
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 — Jun 18, 2022
As an area of high pressure remained centered to the east of New Mexico, it allowed for a healthy stream of moisture to continue to move into the western half of the state on June 18, 2022. With the monsoonal moisture plume focused in this area, the day's thunderstorms favored areas along and west of the central mountain chain. With moisture streaming into the area over the past few days, the a...
Flash Flood — Jul 6, 2021
The area of high pressure that had been centered over the Four Corners shifted slightly westward on July 6, 2021. Meanwhile, low level return flow continued which aided in keeping moisture values high across New Mexico. With sufficient instability and shear, another crop of thunderstorms developed first across the high terrain before becoming more widespread across lower elevations. With numero...
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 Valencia 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 Valencia 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.