Natural Disaster Risk in Jemez Pueblo

Natural Hazard Profile: Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico

Located in the arid interior West in Sandoval County, Jemez Pueblo is a town of roughly 2,692 residents. The semi-arid climate that characterizes this part of New Mexico — marked by hot, dry summers and cold winters with dramatic elevation variation — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Jemez Pueblo a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.

Jemez Pueblo's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.7/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Slope instability and debris flows are the primary natural hazard, driven by a combination of local geology, precipitation intensity, and terrain that creates susceptibility to failure. Secondary hazards include wildfire and volcano.

Relative to other U.S. communities, Jemez Pueblo's natural disaster risk is well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly above the 5.6/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by landslide and wildfire, as measured by FEMA across Sandoval County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Jemez Pueblo residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for landslide and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.