Peter and Henriette Wyeth Hurd House · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0FEMA puts Ruidoso Downs’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ruidoso Downs gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (57%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1982.
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 Ruidoso Downs faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
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 Ruidoso Downs’ grade
Wildfire is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ruidoso Downs, and Ruidoso Downs’ rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 41%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #73 of 73 in New Mexico; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ruidoso Downs’ residents live in 4 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, Ruidoso Downs has more expected damage per building than 100% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Ruidoso Downs: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ruidoso Downs flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ruidoso Downs, from FEMA’s records: 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July NM Flooding4 claims · $431K
Ruidoso Downs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ruidoso Downs
Disasters that paid out in Ruidoso Downs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ruidoso Downs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides117 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$231K to the City of Ruidoso Downs for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2024South Fork Fire, Salt Fire, and Flooding384 households applied for aid$328K aid approved$472K to the City of Ruidoso Downs for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Wildfires, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Mudflows, and Debris Flows17 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Extreme Cold Temperatures$3K to the City of Ruidoso Downs for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$137K to the City of Ruidoso Downs for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Fire Threats$3K to the City of Ruidoso Downs for repairs
Lincoln County has had 18 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 13 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lincoln County, 2000–2024.
Old photos of Ruidoso Downs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ruidoso Downs archive →Ruidoso Downs and its neighbors
Ruidoso Downs is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruidoso | Dmore damage than 95% | wildfire | 185 |
| Ruidoso Downs | D−more damage than 98% | wildfire | 15 |
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 Ruidoso Downs faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Ruidoso Downs
Is Ruidoso Downs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ruidoso Downs has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (57%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ruidoso Downs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Ruidoso Downs since 1982, $907K in all, or 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025 July NM Flooding (4).
Is Ruidoso Downs 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 Lincoln County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ruidoso Downs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ruidoso Downs’ 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 Ruidoso Downs?
By FEMA money that reached Ruidoso Downs, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2025): 117 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $231K to the City of Ruidoso Downs for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July NM Flooding: 4 paid, $431K.
Is Ruidoso Downs at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Ruidoso Downs’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ruidoso Downs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ruidoso Downs’ 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.