Photo: Jeff Vincent · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Truth or Consequences than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Truth or Consequences gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #58 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1979.
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 Truth or Consequences 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
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 Truth or Consequences’ grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Truth or Consequences, and Truth or Consequences’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #58 of 73 in New Mexico; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Truth or Consequences’ 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, Truth or Consequences has more expected damage per building than 79% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Truth or Consequences: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Truth or Consequences flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Truth or Consequences, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Truth or Consequences isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sierra County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Truth or Consequences
Disasters that paid out in Truth or Consequences itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Truth or Consequences), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the City of Truth or Consequences for repairs
Sierra County has had 10 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.
Old photos of Truth or Consequences after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Truth or Consequences archive →Truth or Consequences and its neighbors
Truth or Consequences 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant Butte | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Truth or Consequences | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Williamsburg | — | 466 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Truth or Consequences 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.
- 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 Truth or Consequences
Is Truth or Consequences at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Truth or Consequences has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #58 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Truth or Consequences flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Truth or Consequences since 1979, $49K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Truth or Consequences 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 Sierra County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Truth or Consequences?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Truth or Consequences’ 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 Truth or Consequences?
By FEMA money that reached Truth or Consequences, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $19K to the City of Truth or Consequences for repairs.
Is Truth or Consequences at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Truth or Consequences’ rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Truth or Consequences.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Truth or Consequences’ 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.