Taos County, NM Environment & Hazard Risk

• WildfireRelatively Moderate$3.5M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 262 years
• AvalancheRelatively High$1.9M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 8 years
• Winter weatherRelatively High$340K/yr expected annual loss, about 25 events a year
• LandslideRelatively Moderate$53.7K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• LightningRelatively High$696K/yr expected annual loss, about 70 events a year
• DroughtRelatively Low$241K/yr expected annual loss, about 111 events a year
• EarthquakeRelatively Low$339K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 503 years
• Cold waveRelatively Low$413K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 6 years
• TornadoVery Low$179K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 6 years
• HailVery Low$39.7K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• Strong windVery Low$50K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 11 years
• Heat waveVery Low$8,804/yr expected annual loss, about once every 19 years
• Ice stormVery Low$2,368/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

96 of 16,445 (0.6%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

770

Insured in high-risk zones

60 (8%)

Flood claims since 1978

24

Claims paid since 1978

$51.1K

• Drought232
• Heavy Snow140
• High Wind46
• Hail16
• Thunderstorm Wind13
• Flash Flood11
• Winter Storm8
• Winter Weather6
• Wildfire6
• Funnel Cloud2

• Cold/Wind Chill12/28/1997

  Taos, Taos County

  1 death

  What happened

  A 62 year old Taos woman was found dead in the side yard of her home. The death appeared to be an accidental fall and exposure to subzero temperatures.

• Thunderstorm Wind78 kt wind12/15/2021

  Taos, Taos County

  $5M damage

  What happened

  Snow squall. An intense line of thunderstorms with rain and snow moved quickly through Taos County early in the morning. An AWOS station in Taos measured a peak wind gust of 62 mph, but damage estimates within the city and surrounding areas indicate wind speeds of 80 to 100 mph as these high winds caused extensive damage. These thunderstorms produced a 2.9 mile long swath of damage from Blueberry Hill Road to El Prado oriented in an east-northeast direction. Six to seven homes sustained roof damage while one single wide mobile home was moved off its foundation. Numerous trees were snapped at the base with other large limbs downed, and at least two power poles were snapped at their bases. Two homes sustained significant roof damage with the aluminum roofing peeled completely off the homes. On a two story home, three-quarters of its roof was missing with part of its second story destroyed. At another home, a trampoline was found fifty feet in the air stuck in a tree. A radio tower was also downed which resulted in a power outage to the northern half of the city. Several schools in the area cancelled classes for the day while government offices were also closed. Taos County...

• High Wind90 kt wind12/15/2021

  Northern Sangre De Cristo Mountains

  $2.5M damage

  What happened

  The weather station at Taos Ski Valley measured about twelve hours of wind speeds in excess of 58 mph with a peak wind gust of 103 mph. These high winds resulted in significant tree damage across Taos Ski Valley with numerous trees downed and splintered. A couple hundred acres of trees were completely flattened near the Wheeler Peak Condominiums. Ten to twenty acres of trees were downed at the El Funko area while another twenty acres of trees were downed near lift four at the ski resort. The Enchanted Forest Ski Site in Red River also reported numerous downed trees in their area. Taos County declared a State of Emergency due to the widespread wind damage. Damages are a rough estimate.

• Winter Storm09/09/2020

  Tusas Mountains Including Chama

  2 injured, $50K damage

  What happened

  Local media reported that fire and rescue teams evacuated around 50 campers at the Rio Chama RV park around 100 am due to falling tree branches. The weight of heavy snow on fully leafed out trees along with strong winds toppled dozens of large branches. At least one recreational vehicle was destroyed and another one was damaged. Minor injuries were reported however the extent of the injuries was not known. Damage amounts are estimated for total loss of two small RVs.

• Wildfire05/06/1996

  Lama, Taos County

  $1.5M damage

  What happened

  An escaped trash fire developed into a wind-driven raging forest fire exacerbated by hot temperatures and some of the driest fuel moisture conditions in 30 years. The fire exhibited extreme behavior and had consumed nearly 7000 acres of national forest within the first 24 hours. The fire destroyed over 30 structures and forced evacuations at both Questa and Red River.

• Lightning09/14/1999

  Red River, Taos County

  1 injured

  What happened

  A 40 year North Carolina man hiking on Wheeler Peak fell 100 feet after being struck by lightning.

• Taos Municipal Water SystemServes 5,528 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Questa Water SystemServes 2,337 · Groundwater · Local government2 health violations+2 monitoring or reporting
• El Prado Water & Sanitation DistrictServes 1,076 · Groundwater · Local government1 health violation
• Village of Taos Ski ValleyServes 1,025 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Llano Quemado MdwcaServes 800 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Ranchos De Taos MdwcaServes 750 · Groundwater · Local government18 health violations+5 monitoring or reporting
• Talpa MdwcaServes 700 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Red River Water SystemServes 679 · Groundwater · Local government1 health violation+2 monitoring or reporting