Natural Disaster Risk in Alcalde

Natural Hazard Profile: Alcalde, New Mexico

Alcalde is a town of roughly 3,108 residents in Rio Arriba County, in the Great Plains. The area experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters with dramatic elevation variation, with a late-summer monsoon season with flash flood risk shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Alcalde.

FEMA rates Alcalde's composite natural disaster risk at 5.6 out of 10 — moderate risk. The threat of wildfire dominates the local risk environment, with hot, dry summers and abundant fuel creating dangerous fire conditions each year. Residents should also account for landslide and lightning risk in their preparedness planning.

Alcalde's risk score, near the 5.6/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Rio Arriba County, the highest-scoring are wildfire, landslide, and lightning. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a moderate risk rating, Alcalde residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for wildfire is recommended.