Photo: AllenS · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Los Lunas than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Los Lunas gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #34 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2006.
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 Los Lunas 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 Los Lunas’ grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Los Lunas, and Los Lunas’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 13% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #34 of 73 in New Mexico; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Los Lunas’ residents live in 7 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, Los Lunas has less expected damage per building than 54% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Los Lunas: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Los Lunas flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Los Lunas, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Los Lunas isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Valencia County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Los Lunas
Disasters that paid out in Los Lunas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Los Lunas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Wildfires, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Mudflows, and Debris Flows133 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$21K to the Village of Los Lunas for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Valencia County has had 5 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 7 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Valencia County, 2000–2025.
Old photos of Los Lunas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Los Lunas archive →Los Lunas and its neighbors
Los Lunas has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Lunas | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| El Cerro | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Valencia | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Los Chaves | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Peralta | Dmore damage than 93% | 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 Los Lunas 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 Los Lunas
Is Los Lunas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Los Lunas has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #34 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and earthquakes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Los Lunas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Los Lunas since 2006, $17K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Los Lunas 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 Valencia County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Los Lunas?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Los Lunas’ 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 Los Lunas?
By FEMA money that reached Los Lunas, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $21K to the Village of Los Lunas for repairs.
Is Los Lunas at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Los Lunas’ rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Los Lunas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Los Lunas’ 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.