Roswell, NM

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 47,176 · Part of Chaves County

Roswell 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 Chaves County, NM. The county's highest-rated hazards are drought, strong wind, and winter weather.

Storm events near Roswell

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

Tornado 5 events
Hail 53 events
Inland Flooding 24 events

County-wide hazard risk

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

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 92.5 Relatively Moderate
Inland Flooding 92.3 Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flooding Not Applicable
Earthquake 31 Very Low
Heat Wave 90 Relatively Moderate
Tornado 20.6 Very Low
Avalanche 2.9 Very Low
Cold Wave 34.7 Relatively Low
Drought 98.9 Relatively High
Hail 66.5 Relatively Low
Hurricane 39 Very Low
Ice Storm 85.3 Relatively High
Landslide 26.8 Very Low
Lightning 87.4 Relatively High
Strong Wind 95.5 Relatively High
Tsunami Not Applicable
Volcanic Activity 54.7 Very Low
Winter Weather 93.2 Relatively High

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

More on Chaves County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is Roswell, NM at risk of?

Roswell 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 Chaves County, where Roswell is located, are drought, strong wind, and winter weather.

What is Roswell's biggest natural hazard risk?

Drought is the highest-rated hazard for Chaves County, where Roswell is located, scoring 98.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").

Is Roswell a high-risk area for natural disasters?

Somewhat — Roswell 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 Chaves County.

Has Roswell had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 5 tornado, 53 hail, 24 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Roswell since 2016.