Garcia Opera House · Photo: TDBurleigh · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Socorro’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Socorro gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #71 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1999.
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 Socorro 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 Socorro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Socorro, and Socorro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 5%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #71 of 73 in New Mexico; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Socorro’s residents live in 3 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, Socorro has more expected damage per building than 97% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Socorro: $6.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Socorro flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Socorro, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Socorro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Socorro County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Socorro
Disasters that paid out in Socorro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Socorro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Extreme Cold Temperatures$21K to the City of Socorro for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$22K to the City of Socorro for repairs
Socorro 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Socorro County, 2000–2004.
Old photos of Socorro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Socorro archive →Get ready for what Socorro 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 Socorro
Is Socorro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Socorro has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #71 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and earthquakes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Socorro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Socorro since 1999, $18K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Socorro 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 Socorro County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Socorro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Socorro’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 Socorro?
By FEMA money that reached Socorro, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $22K to the City of Socorro for repairs.
Is Socorro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Socorro’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Socorro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Socorro’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.