Photo: Matthew.kowal · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, South Valley faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Valley gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #28 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then earthquakes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1988.
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 South 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 South Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Valley, and South Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 23% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #28 of 73 in New Mexico; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Valley’s residents live in 13 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, South Valley has less expected damage per building than 62% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.8M a year in losses across South Valley: $7.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Valley flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1988
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South 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.
South 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 South Valley remembers
None of the 4 disasters declared for Bernalillo County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Valley itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19992 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20092 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20132 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Bernalillo County
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 South Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Valley archive →South Valley and its neighbors
South Valley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| South Valley | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 South 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 South Valley
Is South Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Valley has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #28 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in South Valley since 1988, $69K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is South 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 South Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Valley’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is South Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and South Valley’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South 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.