Photo: Wordbuilder · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Tucumcari as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tucumcari gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #27 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1981.
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 Tucumcari 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 Tucumcari’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tucumcari, and Tucumcari’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #27 of 73 in New Mexico; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tucumcari’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, Tucumcari has less expected damage per building than 64% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Tucumcari: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tucumcari flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tucumcari, 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.
Tucumcari isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Quay County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Tucumcari
Disasters that paid out in Tucumcari itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tucumcari), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes30 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
Quay 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.
Old photos of Tucumcari after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tucumcari archive →Get ready for what Tucumcari 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 Tucumcari
Is Tucumcari at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tucumcari has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #27 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tucumcari flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Tucumcari since 1981, $29K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Tucumcari 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 Quay County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Tucumcari?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tucumcari’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 Tucumcari?
By FEMA money that reached Tucumcari, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2007): 30 households applied for aid, $28K approved.
Is Tucumcari at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Tucumcari’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tucumcari.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tucumcari’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.