Rio Rancho, NM
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Rio Rancho is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Sandoval County, NM. The county's highest-rated hazards are landslide, wildfire, and lightning.
Storm events near Rio Rancho
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Rio Rancho's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Rio Rancho itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Sandoval County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Rio Rancho along with the rest of the county, not a Rio Rancho-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 93.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 84.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 88.7 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 79.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 23.8 | Very Low |
| Avalanche | 36.1 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 24 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 72.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 74.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 17.7 | Very Low |
| Landslide | 94.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | 90.3 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 39.6 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | 8.8 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | 79.3 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Sandoval County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Sandoval County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Rio Rancho, NM at risk of?
Rio Rancho 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 Sandoval County, where Rio Rancho is located, are landslide, wildfire, and lightning.
What is Rio Rancho's biggest natural hazard risk?
Landslide is the highest-rated hazard for Sandoval County, where Rio Rancho is located, scoring 94.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Rio Rancho a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Rio Rancho carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Sandoval County.
Has Rio Rancho had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 7 tornado, 86 hail, 41 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Rio Rancho since 2016.