Catron County, New Mexico
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Catron County, New Mexico has a very low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 63% of US counties. It ranks 26th of 33 counties in New Mexico. The costliest hazards here are wildfires, inland flooding and lightning. FEMA estimates about $6.8 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $1,920 per resident. Since 1972 it has been included in 10 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (6 major disasters). The most recent was in October 2013 (severe storms, flooding and mudslides). Only 1 home here carries federal flood insurance.
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Catron County
- Clear dry plants and debris within 5 feet of the house.
- Get home insurance quotes early; availability varies by area.
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Go indoors when you hear thunder.
- Use surge protectors for electronics.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 96.3 | $3M | ||
| Inland flooding | 41.1 | $3M | ||
| Lightning | 82.8 | $490K | ||
| Cold wave | 16.7 | $103K | ||
| Landslide | 93.8 | $59K | ||
| Winter weather | 34.9 | $22K | ||
| Earthquake | 22.9 | $21K | ||
| Heat wave | 8.3 | $7K | ||
| Drought | 24.3 | $6K | ||
| Hail | 3.0 | $3K | ||
| Strong wind | 1.3 | $2K | ||
| Tornado | 1.4 | $774 | ||
| Ice storm | 2.4 | $546 | ||
| Avalanche | 51.3 | $368 | ||
| Volcanic activity | 37.8 | $3 |
Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is very high and community resilience is very low in FEMA's measures.
Federal disaster history
Recent disasters nationwide ›Declarations by decade
Federal declarations for natural events that included Catron County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
New Mexico also had 42 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Storm history since 1967
Tornado risk by county ›The National Weather Service has logged 66 storm reports in Catron County since 1967, with 2 deaths and 0 injuries and about $3.7 million in reported damage. No tornadoes are on record here.
Most damaging storms
| Date | Type | Near | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 14, 2013 | Flash Flood | Mogollon | $2M |
| Sep 14, 2013 | Flash Flood | Pleasanton | $1M |
| Sep 14, 2013 | Flash Flood | Glenwood Catron Co A | $250K |
| Aug 28, 1998 | Flash Flood | Reserve | $150K |
| Jul 23, 2021 | Flash Flood | Apache Crk Jewett Ar | $150K |
| Sep 14, 2013 | Flood | Reserve Arpt | $100K |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jun 29, 2024. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.
Flood insurance in Catron County
Check your address flood zone ›National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.
Homes in Catron County
Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 3,409 housing units.
Compare in New Mexico
All 33 ›| Largest counties | Overall risk | Top hazard |
|---|---|---|
| Bernalillo County | Inland flooding | |
| Doña Ana County | Inland flooding | |
| Santa Fe County | Inland flooding | |
| Sandoval County | Inland flooding | |
| San Juan County | Inland flooding | |
| Valencia County | Inland flooding | |
| Lea County | Inland flooding | |
| McKinley County | Inland flooding |
Neighboring counties
| County | Overall risk | Declarations |
|---|---|---|
| Apache County, AZ | 14 | |
| Grant County | 11 | |
| Cibola County | 8 | |
| Socorro County | 10 | |
| Sierra County | 11 | |
| Greenlee County, AZ | 11 |
Common questions about Catron County
What is the biggest natural hazard in Catron County?
Wildfire has the highest expected yearly losses in Catron County, about $3.1 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Inland flooding is second at $3 million.
How many federal disasters has Catron County had?
Catron County has been included in 10 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1972, including 6 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides in October 2013.
Is Catron County a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Very Low, 26th highest of 33 in New Mexico. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.
Do I need flood insurance in Catron County?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.
How many tornadoes has Catron County had?
NOAA records list 0 tornadoes in Catron County since 1950. The weather service has also logged 14 hail reports and 41 floods here.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.