Gallup, NM

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 20,339 · Part of McKinley County

Gallup is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for McKinley County, NM. The county's highest-rated hazards are lightning, winter weather, and cold wave.

Storm events near Gallup

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Gallup's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Gallup itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 1 events
Hail 1 events
Inland Flooding 18 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are McKinley County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Gallup along with the rest of the county, not a Gallup-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 78.7 Relatively Low
Inland Flooding 86.8 Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flooding Not Applicable
Earthquake 77.6 Relatively Low
Heat Wave 39.5 Relatively Low
Tornado 4.5 Very Low
Avalanche 27.3 Very Low
Cold Wave 87.6 Relatively Moderate
Drought 0 No Rating
Hail 9 Very Low
Hurricane 0 No Rating
Ice Storm 20.6 Very Low
Landslide 87.3 Relatively Moderate
Lightning 94.5 Relatively High
Strong Wind 6.9 Very Low
Tsunami Not Applicable
Volcanic Activity 52.4 Very Low
Winter Weather 90.8 Relatively High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full McKinley County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

More on McKinley County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is Gallup, NM at risk of?

Gallup is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for McKinley County, where Gallup is located, are lightning, winter weather, and cold wave.

What is Gallup's biggest natural hazard risk?

Lightning is the highest-rated hazard for McKinley County, where Gallup is located, scoring 94.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").

Is Gallup a high-risk area for natural disasters?

No — Gallup carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for McKinley County.

Has Gallup had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 1 tornado, 1 hail, 18 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Gallup since 2016.