St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and Rectory · Photo: TheCatalyst31 · CC0More hazard damage per building is expected in Taos than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Taos gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2017.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Taos faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Taos’ grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Taos, and Taos’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Taos’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $673K a year in losses across Taos: $412K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Taos flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Taos, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $33K
Taos isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cole County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Taos
Disasters that paid out in Taos itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Taos), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the City of Taos for repairs
Cole County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Taos after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Taos archive →Taos and its neighbors
Taos is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 288 |
| Taos | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Taos faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Taos
Is Taos at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Taos has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (6%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Taos flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Taos since 2017, $33K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (1).
Is Taos in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Cole County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Taos?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Taos’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Taos?
By FEMA money that reached Taos, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $3K to the City of Taos for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 1 paid, $33K.
Is Taos at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Taos’ rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Taos.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Taos’ residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.