Photo: AllenS · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Farmington than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmington gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #16 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1980.
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 stands out about Farmington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Farmington 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 Farmington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Farmington, and Farmington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 5% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
B #16 of 73 in New Mexico; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Farmington’s residents live in 15 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, Farmington has less expected damage per building than 79% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.2M a year in losses across Farmington: $11.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Farmington flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Farmington, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Farmington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: San Juan County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Farmington
Disasters that paid out in Farmington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Farmington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024South Fork Fire, Salt Fire, and Flooding82 households applied for aid$138K aid approved$1.5M to the City of Farmington for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$1.7M to the City of Farmington for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$1.9M to the City of Farmington for repairs2 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 Farmington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Farmington archive →Farmington and its neighbors
Farmington has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Crouch Mesa | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lee Acres | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Upper Fruitland | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| La Plata | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| South River | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Flora Vista | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Totah Vista | — | 235 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Farmington 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.
- Farmington residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Farmington
Is Farmington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmington has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #16 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%) and earthquakes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Farmington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Farmington since 1980, $24K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Farmington 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 Farmington?
Farmington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Farmington?
By FEMA money that reached Farmington, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): $1.9M to the City of Farmington for repairs.
Is Farmington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Farmington’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Farmington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Farmington’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.