Natural Disasters in Capitan, NM

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

79.5

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

70.7

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

82.5

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

7.2

Score (0-100)

Top Hazard Risks

Wildfire98.8Winter Weather86.3Lightning85.2

Hazard	Risk Score
Wildfire	98.8
Winter Weather	86.3
Lightning	85.2
Landslide	76.3
Ice Storm	68.8
Volcanic Activity	47.6
Hail	39.4
Avalanche	37.1
Earthquake	25.5
Drought	17.9
Strong Wind	16.6
Hurricane	15.0
Cold Wave	11.6
Tornado	10.3
Heat Wave	7.7

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster Declarations

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA

Total Declarations

Most Recent

Flood

Jul 2025

Most Common Type

Fire

17 declarations

Date	Type	Declaration
Jul 22, 2025	Flood	SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES
Jul 10, 2025	Flood	SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES
Jun 20, 2024	Fire	SOUTH FORK FIRE, SALT FIRE, AND FLOODING
Jun 18, 2024	Fire	SALT FIRE
Jun 17, 2024	Fire	SOUTH FORK FIRE
May 26, 2024	Fire	BLUE 2 FIRE
May 4, 2022	Fire	WILDFIRES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, MUDFLOWS, AND DEBRIS FLOWS
Apr 12, 2022	Fire	MCBRIDE FIRE
Apr 12, 2022	Fire	NOGAL CANYON FIRE
Apr 27, 2021	Fire	THREE RIVERS FIRE
Apr 5, 2020	Biological	COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Mar 13, 2020	Biological	COVID-19
Oct 29, 2014	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Oct 6, 2014	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Oct 29, 2013	Flood	SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES
Aug 24, 2012	Flood	FLOODING
Jun 9, 2012	Fire	LITTLE BEAR FIRE
Jun 30, 2011	Fire	DONALDSON FIRE
Apr 3, 2011	Fire	WHITE FIRE
Mar 24, 2011	Severe Storm	SEVERE WINTER STORM AND EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES

Showing 20 of 35 declarations

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

268

Total Claims Paid

$16,558,483

Avg Claim Payout

$61,785

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Disaster Recovery Spending

Source: FEMA Public Assistance

Total Federal Spending

$79,970,625

Disasters with PA

Total Projects

367

Disaster	Type	Projects	Federal $
DR-1783	Severe Storm(s)	101	$39,579,226
DR-4795	Other	76	$23,894,400
DR-4652	Wildfire	17	$7,187,188
DR-4886	Severe Storm(s)	16	$4,900,750
DR-4079	Flood	37	$2,788,692
DR-1659	Severe Storm(s)	67	$815,041
DR-1962	Severe Storm(s)	46	$628,223
DR-4152	Flood	3	$96,263
DR-4529	Biological	1	$61,949
DR-4199	Severe Storm(s)	2	$12,206
DR-4197	Severe Storm(s)	1	$6,689

Capitan has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are wildfire, winter weather, lightning. The area has had 35 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is fire (17 declarations). 268 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $79,970,625 in public assistance recovery funding.