Portales, NM

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 11,789 · Part of Roosevelt County

Portales is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Roosevelt County, NM. The county's highest-rated hazards are wildfire, drought, and hail.

Storm events near Portales

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

Tornado 8 events
Hail 108 events
Inland Flooding 28 events

County-wide hazard risk

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

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 98.6 Relatively High
Inland Flooding 83.7 Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flooding Not Applicable
Earthquake 25 Very Low
Heat Wave 65.5 Relatively Low
Tornado 53.5 Relatively Low
Avalanche Not Applicable
Cold Wave 26.6 Relatively Low
Drought 97 Relatively High
Hail 89.9 Relatively Moderate
Hurricane 32.2 Very Low
Ice Storm 27.4 Relatively Low
Landslide 7.5 Very Low
Lightning 38.7 Relatively Low
Strong Wind 76.3 Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Not Applicable
Volcanic Activity 38.1 Very Low
Winter Weather 83 Relatively Moderate

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

More on Roosevelt County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is Portales, NM at risk of?

Portales is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Roosevelt County, where Portales is located, are wildfire, drought, and hail.

What is Portales's biggest natural hazard risk?

Wildfire is the highest-rated hazard for Roosevelt County, where Portales is located, scoring 98.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").

Is Portales a high-risk area for natural disasters?

Somewhat — Portales carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Roosevelt County.

Has Portales had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 8 tornado, 108 hail, 28 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Portales since 2016.