Photo: AllenS · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Aztec faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aztec gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #49 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1988.
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 Aztec 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
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 Aztec’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Aztec, and Aztec’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #49 of 73 in New Mexico; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Aztec’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New Mexico town has higher expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Aztec has more expected damage per building than 67% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Aztec: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Aztec flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1988
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Aztec, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Aztec isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Juan County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Aztec
Disasters that paid out in Aztec itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Aztec), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024South Fork Fire, Salt Fire, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$211K to the City of Aztec for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
San Juan County has had 7 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Juan County, 2012–2012.
Old photos of Aztec after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Aztec archive →Aztec and its neighbors
Aztec is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomfield | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| South River | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Spencerville | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Aztec | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Center Point | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Aztec 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.
- 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 Aztec
Is Aztec at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aztec has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #49 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Aztec flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Aztec since 1988, $409K in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Aztec 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 San Juan County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Aztec?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Aztec’s 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 Aztec?
By FEMA money that reached Aztec, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2013): $211K to the City of Aztec for repairs.
Is Aztec at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Aztec’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Aztec.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Aztec’s 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.