Tularosa Original Townsite District · Photo: AllenS · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Tularosa faces more hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tularosa gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #52 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Tularosa 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
Wildfire
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 Tularosa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tularosa, and Tularosa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 7%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #52 of 73 in New Mexico; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tularosa’s residents live in 2 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, Tularosa has more expected damage per building than 71% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $951K a year in losses across Tularosa: $722K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tularosa flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Tularosa. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Tularosa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Otero County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tularosa
Disasters that paid out in Tularosa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Tularosa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024South Fork Fire, Salt Fire, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Extreme Cold Temperatures$26K to the Village of Tularosa for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Otero County has had 11 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 9 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Otero County, 2000–2024.
Old photos of Tularosa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tularosa archive →Get ready for what Tularosa 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.
- 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.
- 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 Tularosa
Is Tularosa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tularosa has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #52 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and wildfire (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Tularosa 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 Otero County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tularosa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tularosa’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 Tularosa?
By FEMA money that reached Tularosa, Severe Winter Storm and Extreme Cold Temperatures (2011): $26K to the Village of Tularosa for repairs.
Is Tularosa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Tularosa’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tularosa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tularosa’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.