Albuquerque, NM Flood Zone Map
Last updated: August 2026
Albuquerque faces flash flooding from monsoon storms, with numerous arroyos channeling runoff from the Sandia Mountains through the city to the Rio Grande. The North Diversion Channel and other flood control facilities manage major flows.
Bernalillo County has recorded 173 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $1.4M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 6
NFIP Policies
1,506
Bernalillo County
Avg. Premium
$689/yr
Bernalillo County
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Bernalillo County
Properties in Bernalillo County have filed 173 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $1.4M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $8K.
Highest-Claim Years
2006
25 claims - $192K
2013
25 claims - $885K
1980
20 claims - $15K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced August 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Bernalillo County
Only roughly 1 in 177 households in Bernalillo County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.6% of estimated households). With 97 recorded flood events and $7.2M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.6%
roughly 1 in 177 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 9
173 claims over 45+ years across 1,506 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$8,289
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Bernalillo County has averaged 1 claim for every 9 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of August 2026, claims since 1978 (August 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Albuquerque.
Not sure whether you're required to carry it? See do I need flood insurance?, or compare NFIP vs. private flood insurance.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Bernalillo County
Bernalillo County has 2 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced August 2026.
Multiple Loss
2
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
0
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Insurance Discount: Albuquerque
Albuquerque participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 7
SFHA Premium Discount
15% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Albuquerque's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, April 2026. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Bernalillo County
Bernalillo County has been included in 1 federal flood-related disaster declaration.
These declarations affected communities across Bernalillo County, including Albuquerque.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced August 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Bernalillo County
NOAA has recorded 97 flood events in Bernalillo County since 1996, causing $7.2M in damage and 11 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Bernalillo County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 1 properties in Bernalillo County, investing $3.8M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced August 2026. FEMA records a total payment per grant rather than per property, so the dollar figure is an estimate that splits each grant across the properties it covers; the property count is exact.
Levee Protection: Albuquerque
The USACE National Levee Database lists 21 levee systems protecting parts of Albuquerque. A system's FEMA accreditation status determines how its protected area is mapped: accredited levees are typically mapped as Zone X, while non-accredited or provisionally accredited systems generally leave their protected area in the Special Flood Hazard Area (often Zone AR or A99) until certification is complete.
La Cueva Arroyo Channel Levee System
AccreditedProtects against: La Cueva Arroyo - Sponsor: Bernalillo County Levee - 0 sq mi protected
ALB NDC South Pino Channel Levee Right
Non-AccreditedProtects against: Pino Arroyo - Sponsor: Albuquerque Metro Arroyo Flood Control Agency - 0.03 sq mi protected
ALB NDC South Pino Channel Levee Left
Non-AccreditedProtects against: Pino Arroyo - Sponsor: Albuquerque Metro Arroyo Flood Control Agency - 0.03 sq mi protected
ALB NDC Bear Canyon Arroyo Levee Right
Non-AccreditedProtects against: Bear Canyon Arroyo - Sponsor: Albuquerque Metro Arroyo Flood Control Agency - 0.03 sq mi protected
ALB NDC Bear Canyon Arroyo Levee Left
Non-AccreditedProtects against: Bear Canyon Arroyo - Sponsor: Albuquerque Metro Arroyo Flood Control Agency - 0.03 sq mi protected
ALB NDC North Pino Channel Levee Left
Non-AccreditedProtects against: Pino Arroyo - Sponsor: Albuquerque Metro Arroyo Flood Control Agency - 0.02 sq mi protected
...and 15 more systems tracked in the database.
Source: USACE National Levee Database. Data sourced August 2026. Learn how levees affect flood zone mapping.
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Bernalillo County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $93.2M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Albuquerque
Albuquerque is vulnerable to flash flooding, where intense rainfall overwhelms drainage systems and sends water rushing through streets, arroyos, or low-lying areas within minutes. Unlike river flooding, flash floods arrive with little warning and can be deadly in urban areas and desert terrain. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Albuquerque are Zone AE, Zone AO, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $93.2M. Albuquerque has Zone AO areas subject to sheet-flow flooding, where shallow water spreads across broad, flat terrain rather than channeling through waterways.
Flash flood risk is difficult to predict by zone alone because intense localized rainfall can flood areas outside mapped SFHA boundaries. Under Risk Rating 2.0, FEMA accounts for distance to water, drainage characteristics, and rainfall intensity, not just the flood zone line on a map. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flash flood zone boundaries may shift when FEMA updates its stormwater drainage studies or when new development changes runoff patterns. Urbanization, in particular, increases impervious surface area and can expand flood risk into previously unaffected neighborhoods. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Albuquerque address.
Albuquerque, NM Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Albuquerque, NM?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Albuquerque are Zone AE, Zone AO, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Albuquerque?
If your Albuquerque property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since about a quarter of all NFIP flood claims come from properties outside high-risk zones.
How do I check my flood zone in Albuquerque?
Enter your Albuquerque address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Albuquerque offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Albuquerque participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Albuquerque experienced major flooding events?
Bernalillo County, where Albuquerque is located, has been part of 1 federal disaster declaration for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Katrina Evacuation in 2005. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Albuquerque?
Bernalillo County has recorded 173 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $1.4M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2006, with 25 claims and $192K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Albuquerque.
How many flood insurance policies are there in Albuquerque?
Bernalillo County had 1,506 NFIP flood insurance policies written or renewed over the trailing 13 months, with an average annual premium of $689. The most policies are in Zone X (665 policies). These are county-level counts of policies written or renewed in the trailing 13 months, not a point-in-time count of policies in force - a policy renewed inside that window is counted twice.
How many Albuquerque properties have flooded repeatedly?
Bernalillo County has 2 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Is Albuquerque protected by a levee?
Yes. The USACE National Levee Database lists 21 levee systems protecting parts of Albuquerque. Some of these are FEMA-accredited and some are not - accreditation status varies by system, and only the accredited ones map their protected area as Zone X. Levee protection is system-specific, not city-wide - check the address search above for the zone at a specific property.
Can my Albuquerque property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Albuquerque?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Albuquerque's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other New Mexico Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
See the Flood Map for Any Albuquerque, NM Address
Enter a Albuquerque, NM address to view its FEMA flood map, zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on August 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.