Mora County, NM Environment & Hazard Risk

• WildfireRelatively Moderate$2.7M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 98 years
• LandslideRelatively Low$6,002/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• DroughtRelatively Low$194K/yr expected annual loss, about 147 events a year
• Winter weatherRelatively Low$25.3K/yr expected annual loss, about 20 events a year
• LightningRelatively Low$60.8K/yr expected annual loss, about 68 events a year
• EarthquakeVery Low$29.2K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1,047 years
• AvalancheVery Low$28/yr expected annual loss, about once every 100 years
• HailVery Low$23.6K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.2 events a year
• Cold waveVery Low$36.6K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3 years
• TornadoVery Low$11.1K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 6 years
• Strong windVery Low$7,849/yr expected annual loss, about once every 6 years
• Heat waveVery Low$117/yr expected annual loss, about once every 36 years
• Ice stormVery Low$300/yr expected annual loss, about once every 67 years

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: coastal flooding, hurricane, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

1,029 of 3,119 (33.0%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

0

Flood claims since 1978

64

Claims paid since 1978

$478K

• Drought152
• Hail128
• High Wind117
• Heavy Snow77
• Flash Flood42 · 1 death
• Wildfire14
• Thunderstorm Wind9
• Winter Storm9
• Tornado7
• Extreme Cold/Wind Chill6

• Wildfire05/01/2022

  East Slopes Sangre De Cristo Mountains

  3 injured, $100M damage

  What happened

  The Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fire continued to devastate the area as it grew significantly during the month of May. The wildfire at the end of April was at 103,908 acres, but continued strong winds across the area throughout the month of May allowed the wildfire to spread rapidly. Within the first three days of May, the fire grew over 40,000 acres to a total of 145,854 acres with only 20% containment. During this time, the fire pushed northward toward Mora and northwest toward Las Tusas and Sapello. It also pushed towards Las Vegas, prompting evacuation orders for the western side of the city. By May 16, the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire grew to 298,060 acres, officially surpassing the 2012 Whitewater-Baldy Fire and becoming the largest wildfire in New Mexico State history. By the end of the month, the wildfire burned 315,627 acres with 50% containment. Official numbers for homes and structures destroyed are still unknown, but on May 17th, the San Miguel County Sherrif reported that at least 340 homes had been destroyed with 275 other structures lost as well. Damages are estimated.

• Wildfire04/19/2022

  East Slopes Sangre De Cristo Mountains

  $25M damage

  What happened

  While daily rounds of widespread high fire danger persisted across northern and central New Mexico throughout the month of April, conditions were primed for rapid wildfire growth. The Calf Canyon Fire was sparked on April 19, 2022, near Gallinas Canyon. The wildfire experienced its most rapid growth on April 22nd as a historic and catastrophic fire weather pattern developed across New Mexico. With several hours of widespread 60 to 80 mph wind gusts, the Calf Canyon Fire exploded. This prompted the National Weather Service Albuquerque Office to issue a rare Fire Weather Warning for mandatory evacuations across western San Miguel and Mora counties. By the morning of April 23rd, it was reported that the Calf Canyon Fire had merged with the nearby Hermits Peak Fire, and together, these two fires had burned more than 42,000 acres. A week later, on April 29th, yet another widespread dangerous wind event caused the Calf Canyon and Hermits Peak fires to continue to rapidly spread. This prompted another set of mandatory evacuations across western San Miguel County and the issuance of another rare Fire Weather Warning. By the end of the month of April 30th, the Calf Canyon and Hermits...

• Wildfire05/01/2022

  East Slopes Sangre De Cristo Mountains

  10 injured, $11M damage

  What happened

  The Cooks Peak Fire started on April 17, 2022 on private land north of Ocate. As a persistent windy pattern continued through the month of April, the fire grew rapidly to 59,063 acres. At the start of the month of May, Philmont Scout Ranch Back Country west of New Mexico State Road 21 in Colax County were given mandatory evacuation orders while in Mora County, residents of Los LeFebres, Los Huerros, and residents east of County Road 009 and north of New Mexico Highway 120 were also given evacuation orders. Firefighters were able to make significant progress on the Cooks Peak Fire during the early part of May. By May 3rd, the wildfire was 59,359 acres with 72 percent containment. By May 13th, the wildfire was 100 percent contained with that same acreage. A total of four buildings were destroyed by the Cooks Peak Fire. Ten injuries were reported from firefighting efforts. Damage estimates were received from the State of New Mexico.

• Flash Flood08/07/2022

  El Turquillo, Mora County

  1 death, 1 injured, $20K damage

  What happened

  Heavy rain on the Calf Canyon burn scar caused flash flooding on Highway 434 near El Turquillo. A vehicle containing the 30-year-old driver John Vasquez and a 64-year-old passenger Benjamin Torres attempted to cross the flooded roadway, but were unsuccessful as the vehicle was caught in the flood waters. Vasquez was able to escape through an open car window with only minor injuries, but Torres remained trapped in the vehicle. Once the flood waters receded, first responders discovered Torres deceased in the vehicle 100 yards downstream. Vasquez was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol and fleeing an accident with knowledge of death or great bodily harm. Damages are estimated for the loss of the vehicle.

• Wildfire04/06/2022

  East Slopes Sangre De Cristo Mountains

  $10M damage

  What happened

  On April 6, 2022, a prescribed burn was started 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas, but due to windy conditions in place, the fire soon got out of control and spread rapidly. By April 13th, the Hermits Peak Fire grew to 7,900 acres with 10 percent containment. On April 22nd, the wildfire experienced rapid growth as a historic and catastrophic fire weather pattern developed across New Mexico. Despite 91 percent containment, the wildfire experienced rapid growth and combined with the nearby Calf Canyon Fire. Together, these two wildfires burned over 42,000 acres. As very windy conditions persisted through the remainder of April, the Hermits Peak Fire continued to spread rapidly, and by the end of the month on April 30th, the combined acreage between it and the Calf Canyon Fire was 103,908 acres with now 30 percent containment. Currently, the wildfire may not be fully contained until July 2022. Seven outbuildings were destroyed by this wildfire with an additional 600 structures threatened. Mandatory evacuations were not ordered. Damages are estimated.

• Flash Flood07/13/2021

  Chacon, Mora County

  $750K damage

  What happened

  Heavy rain across the Luna burn scar resulted in major flash flooding in Luna Canyon and surrounding areas, and the force of the water altered the landscape. Water and debris destroyed one bridge and many roads became impassable. An observer reported that the water in the narrow Luna Canyon was several feet high. A CoCoRaHS observer near Chacon reported that the Luna Creek, which is usually just a few feet wide became 100 yards wide. Campsites on private land were demolished. The New Mexico Governor declared a state of emergency in Mora County for the significant flooding.

• Mora Mdwca & SwaServes 1,100 · Groundwater · Local government1 health violation+7 monitoring or reporting
• Wagon Mound Water SystemServes 402 · Groundwater · Local government1 health violation+1 monitoring or reporting
• Agua Pura MdwcaServes 357 · Groundwater · Local government1 health violation+14 monitoring or reporting
• Upper Holman MdwcaServes 325 · Groundwater · Local government2 health violations+13 monitoring or reporting
• Cleveland MdwcaServes 270 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• San Antonio De Cleveland MdwcaServes 269 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+3 monitoring or reporting
• Agua Negra MdwcaServes 242 · Groundwater · Local government6 health violations+18 monitoring or reporting
• Buena Vista Mdwc & SwaServes 225 · Groundwater · Local government9 health violations+26 monitoring or reporting