Photo: AllenS · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, North Valley faces more hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Valley gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #43 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 North Valley 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 North Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Valley, and North Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #43 of 73 in New Mexico; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Valley’s 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, North Valley has more expected damage per building than 58% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across North Valley: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Valley flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Valley, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
North Valley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bernalillo County.The storms North Valley remembers
None of the 4 disasters declared for Bernalillo County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North Valley itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20064 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Bernalillo County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bernalillo County, 2003–2016.
Old photos of North Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Valley archive →North Valley and its neighbors
North Valley is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Los Ranchos de Albuquerque | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| North Valley | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 North Valley 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 North Valley
Is North Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Valley has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #43 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in North Valley since 2006, $63K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is North Valley 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 Bernalillo County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Valley’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is North Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and North Valley’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Valley’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.