Sierra County, NM Environment & Hazard Risk

• WildfireRelatively Low$338K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 507 years
• DroughtRelatively Moderate$378K/yr expected annual loss, about 75 events a year
• LightningRelatively Moderate$318K/yr expected annual loss, about 60 events a year
• Winter weatherRelatively Low$44.5K/yr expected annual loss, about 5.2 events a year
• LandslideVery Low$817/yr expected annual loss, about 1.5 events a year
• AvalancheVery Low$326/yr expected annual loss, about once every 100 years
• EarthquakeVery Low$117K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 544 years
• Heat waveVery Low$114K/yr expected annual loss, about 2.3 events a year
• HailRelatively Low$81.2K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 5 years
• Cold waveRelatively Low$281K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 12 years
• HurricaneVery Low$1,643/yr expected annual loss, about once every 112 years
• Volcanic activityVery Low$0/yr expected annual loss, about once every 10,000 years
• TornadoVery Low$7,845/yr expected annual loss, about once every 11 years
• Strong windVery Low$14.9K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 5 years
• Ice stormVery Low$928/yr expected annual loss, about once every 24 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, riverine flooding, tsunami.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

27 of 7,884 (0.3%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

0

Flood claims since 1978

15

Claims paid since 1978

$158K

• Drought221
• Flash Flood62 · 1 death
• High Wind49
• Hail30 · 1 death
• Thunderstorm Wind26
• Heavy Rain5
• Heavy Snow4
• Flood2
• Excessive Heat2
• Extreme Cold/Wind Chill1

• Flash Flood09/13/2013

  (Tcs)truth/Consqnces, Sierra County

  1 death, $500K damage

  What happened

  The Sierra County Emergency Manager reported several bridges washed out and evacuations taking place around Truth or Consequences. A total of 3.35 inches of rain was reported at the New Mexico State Veterans Home. One death was reported by State Police in Ash Canyon near Elephant Butte Dam. A newspaper report said several dams were breached and over 200 homes were evacuated. Several roads were closed and bridges washed out due to flooding including along Highway 187.

• Hail1" hail08/04/1998

  Kingston, Sierra County

  1 death

• Flash Flood07/27/2020

  Williamsburg, Sierra County

  $2.4M damage

  What happened

  There was extensive flash flooding of roads and buildings around Truth or Consequences and Williamsburg. Near-zero visibility was reported in the heavy rain along with pea sized hail. A trained spotter reported 4.10 inches of rain in about one hour. A car was washed off the road. Multiple homes were evacuated around the two towns. The Rio Grande was threatening to exit its banks, therefore causing Elephant Butte Dam having to be closed.

• Thunderstorm Wind61 kt wind08/17/2015

  Elephant Butte, Sierra County

  $1.1M damage

  What happened

  Storm survey revealed numerous boats damaged at Marina Del Sur on the south end of Elephant Butte Lake. A couple of metal roofs covering the boats were torn off and/or collapsed and concrete slabs anchoring down the structures were pulled out of the water. An eyewitness described a downburst lasting 15 minutes with torrential rainfall and zero visibility. Property damage was in excess of $1 million.

• Flash Flood06/29/1996

  Truth Or Consequence, Sierra County

  $1M damage

• Flash Flood09/11/2002

  Cuchillo, Sierra County

  $500K damage

  What happened

  Persistent heavy rains from thunderstorms repeatedly moving over the same area resulted in Cuchillo creek spilling out of its banks and damaging most of the roads from Cuchillo northwestward toward Monticello. Residents around Cuchillo were told to evacuate. Floodwaters, initially a flash flood, remained at least until the following morning. Estimates of two inches of rain fell on ground saturated from days of previous heavy rains.

• Truth Or ConsequencesServes 6,783 · Groundwater · Local government17 health violations+2 monitoring or reporting
• Elephant Butte Water SystemServes 2,286 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Elephant Butte, City ofServes 1,350 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+3 monitoring or reporting
• Hillsboro MdwcaServes 172 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+7 monitoring or reporting
• Caballo Lake MdwcaServes 102 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Desertaire Water CompanyServes 45 · Groundwater · Private23 health violations+59 monitoring or reporting