Natural Disaster Risk in Santa Fe
New Mexico
Risk Summary for Santa Fe
Santa Fe scores 6.4/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Wildfire.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, in Santa Fe County, is a city of 51,386 residents situated in the arid interior West. Its semi-arid climate brings hot, dry summers and cold winters with dramatic elevation variation, and in particular a late-summer monsoon season with flash flood risk. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Santa Fe residents and property owners must navigate.
Santa Fe's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.4/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The threat of wildfire dominates the local risk environment, with hot, dry summers and abundant fuel creating dangerous fire conditions each year. Secondary hazards include lightning and winter.
Within New Mexico, Santa Fe's risk is, slightly above the 5.6/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Santa Fe County identifies wildfire as the foremost hazard, followed by lightning and winter. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, Santa Fe residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for wildfire 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.
What this means for Santa Fe: Wildfire preparedness
- Prepare a go-bag and evacuation plan; wildfires can move faster than expected when winds pick up.
- Create defensible space by clearing flammable vegetation within 30–100 feet of structures.
- Use fire-resistant roofing and screen vents to block ember intrusion, the leading cause of home ignition.
Local Factors for Santa Fe
These city-level factors differentiate Santa Fe from other communities in Santa Fe County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
51,386
UrbanGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 35.6°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
High — long dry fire season
Fire score: 9.8/10
Coordinates
35.6210° N, 106.1106° W
Santa Fe County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Santa Fe
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Santa Fe
Other cities in New Mexico
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.