Sandoval County, NM Environment & Hazard Risk

• LandslideRelatively Moderate$90K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.9 events a year
• WildfireRelatively Moderate$2.2M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 510 years
• LightningRelatively High$1.1M/yr expected annual loss, about 65 events a year
• EarthquakeRelatively Low$3.7M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 341 years
• Heat waveRelatively Moderate$1.3M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• Winter weatherRelatively Moderate$172K/yr expected annual loss, about 18 events a year
• HailRelatively Moderate$582K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2 years
• DroughtRelatively Moderate$528K/yr expected annual loss, about 127 events a year
• Strong windRelatively Low$353K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 5 years
• AvalancheVery Low$147/yr expected annual loss, about once every 100 years
• Cold waveRelatively Low$262K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 18 years
• TornadoVery Low$283K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 5 years
• Ice stormVery Low$11K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 67 years
• Volcanic activityVery Low$0/yr expected annual loss, about once every 10,000 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.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

558 of 51,637 (1.1%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

1,936

Insured in high-risk zones

371 (19%)

Flood claims since 1978

51

Claims paid since 1978

$359K

• Drought392
• High Wind143
• Heavy Snow139 · 3 deaths
• Flash Flood94 · 1 death
• Hail87
• Thunderstorm Wind27
• Wildfire22
• Winter Weather15 · 3 deaths
• Tornado8
• Strong Wind7

• Dust Storm06/19/2024

  Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area

  51 injured, $100K damage

  What happened

  Strong outflow winds from thunderstorms along the central mountain chain resulted in a haboob moving west across Interstate 25. The lower visibility resulted in a 23 car pile up and the resultant closure of Interstate 25 between San Felipe casino and Santo Domingo Pueblo. News reports showed 51 people were taken to the hospital.

• Heavy Rain08/18/2016

  Santa Ana Pueblo, Sandoval County

  2 deaths

  What happened

  Water over roadway from heavy rainfall resulted in a hydroplaning accident along U.S. Highway 550 near the National Guard Armory north of Rio Rancho. Accident resulted in drivers of both vehicles being killed.

• Winter Weather11/07/2024

  Santa Fe Metro Area

  2 deaths

  What happened

  Heavy snow up to a foot caused power outages from San Ildefonso to Gallisteo and Santa Fe. State government offices were shutdown on November 7th. Unfortunately the cold resulted in two fatalities, one on the morning of the 7th and another on the morning of the 8th in Santa Fe. An unidentified male in his 50s was found Thursday outside Freedom Church on Cerrillos Road and Vegas Verdes Drive. Cody Lee Morales, 28, was found Friday morning near Cesar Chaves Elementary School on Jaguar Drive. The two deaths were determined to be from exposure to the cold, temperatures fell into the 20s each night.

• Heavy Snow02/02/2022

  Sandia/Manzano Mountains Including Edgewood

  2 deaths

  What happened

  Various sources measured heavy snow totals in excess of six inches across the area. The highest snow totals were near Sandia Park where a CoCoRaHS observer measured 16.4 inches of snow while areas near Sedillo and Edgewood received 10 to 12 inches of new snow. The heavy snow resulted in snow packed and icy roads which lead to severe driving conditions in the area. Several motor vehicle accidents were reported, but one of these crashes resulted in two indirect fatalities. Two people inside of a car traveling near Sandia Crest fell nearly 100 feet down the side of the mountain. One was declared dead at the scene while the other was rescued and transported to the hospital, but they later succumbed to their injuries.

• Lightning07/05/2009

  Rio Rancho, Sandoval County

  1 death, 6 injured

  What happened

  Jarrod Truesdale, a 26 year old man, was killed by a lightning strike in the parking lot of Rio Rancho High School before a fireworks show. His wife, 26, was also struck and sustained serious injuries. Their 4 kids, ranging from 18 months to 7 years in age, as well as the wife's 21 year old sister also sustained injuries. The family was headed for their vehicle to seek shelter from the storm.

• Heavy Snow02/02/2022

  Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area

  1 death, 3 injured

  What happened

  Numerous sources reported heavy snow across the Albuquerque metro area. Snow totals varied across the city with the highest totals located in the northern half of the metro where a CoCoRaHS observer in Rio Rancho measured 7.5 inches of snow. At the official climate site at the Albuquerque International Airport, the snow total for this event was 1.6 inches. This snow combined with dangerously cold temperatures resulted in treacherous road conditions. The Albuquerque Police Department responded to 51 vehicle accidents during this event with three of those involving injuries. One indirect fatality also resulted from this event. A Rio Grande High School senior was struck by an out-of-control pickup truck in Los Lunas as he was helping a woman whose car had gotten stuck in the ice and snow. The 18-year-old male was pronounced dead at the scene.

• Rio Rancho Water & Ww ServicesServes 107,350 · Purchased surface water · Local government1 health violation
• Bernalillo Water SystemServes 11,810 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+6 monitoring or reporting
• Cuba Water SystemServes 1,789 · Groundwater · Local government20 health violations+18 monitoring or reporting
• Jemez Springs DwuaServes 1,385 · Groundwater · Local government14 health violations+11 monitoring or reporting
• La Mesa Water CoopServes 911 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations
• Regina MdwcaServes 705 · Groundwater · Local government8 health violations+8 monitoring or reporting
• Pena Blanca Water & Sanitation DistrictServes 700 · Groundwater · Local government4 health violations+20 monitoring or reporting
• North Ranchos De Placitas W&sdServes 659 · Groundwater · Local government8 health violations+4 monitoring or reporting