Photo: AllenS · Public domainFEMA puts Bernalillo’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bernalillo gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #48 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2018.
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 Bernalillo 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
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 Bernalillo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bernalillo, and Bernalillo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 9% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #48 of 73 in New Mexico; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bernalillo’s residents live in 6 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, Bernalillo has more expected damage per building than 65% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Bernalillo: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bernalillo flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bernalillo, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bernalillo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sandoval County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Bernalillo
Disasters that paid out in Bernalillo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bernalillo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the Town of Bernalillo for repairs
Sandoval County has had 12 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 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Sandoval County, 2002–2017.
Old photos of Bernalillo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bernalillo archive →Bernalillo and its neighbors
Bernalillo is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Rancho | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Santa Ana Pueblo | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Placitas | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bernalillo | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Bernalillo 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.
- 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 Bernalillo
Is Bernalillo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bernalillo has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #48 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and earthquakes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bernalillo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Bernalillo since 2018, $27K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bernalillo 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 Sandoval County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bernalillo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bernalillo’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 Bernalillo?
By FEMA money that reached Bernalillo, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $12K to the Town of Bernalillo for repairs.
Is Bernalillo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Bernalillo’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bernalillo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bernalillo’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.