Otero County, New Mexico
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 35035 · population 67,699 · 6,613 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 1,158 records for Otero County, New Mexico from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 504 days; the most frequent are drought records (543 records). 843 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The most damaging was the December 8, 2009 high wind ($5.5 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 24 declarations naming the county since 1984, 22 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides” on July 22, 2025.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 1,158on 504 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 010 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $21Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 18strongest F2
- FEMA declarations
- 24latest 2025
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Otero County most?
The most frequent records are drought records: 543 since 2011. The rank column places the county among New Mexico's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | 543 | 119 | 2011-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 31 of 33 |
| High wind and dust storms | 209 | 100 | 1998-2026 | 0 | 5 | $9.0M | 30 of 33 |
| Hail | 123 | 83 | 1959-2026 | 0 | 0 | $3.5M | 22 of 33 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 92 | 78 | 1957-2026 | 0 | 4 | $694K | 17 of 33 |
| Winter storms | 84 | 62 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $144K | 27 of 33 |
| Floods | 70 | 67 | 1999-2025 | 0 | 0 | $5.1M | 17 of 33 |
| Tornadoes | 18 | 16 | 1959-2020 | 0 | 1 | $1.2M | 21 of 33 |
| Heavy rain | 11 | 9 | 2012-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 10 of 33 |
| Extreme cold | 3 | 2 | 2011-2025 | 0 | 0 | $787K | 33 of 33 |
| Heat | 3 | 1 | 2023-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 32 of 33 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 1 | 1 | 2016-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 11 of 33 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 2012-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 29 of 33 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Otero County had?
NOAA records 18 tornadoes in Otero County from 1959 to 2020, the strongest rated F2, with 0 deaths and 1 injury recorded in the county. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 18 tornadoes whose track touched Otero County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 18, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in New Mexico.
Every tornado record filed for Otero County (18)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-13 | Wh Sands/Alamag, Otero County | EF0 0.58 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $29K |
| 2019-06-04 | Boles, Otero County | EF1 0.31 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 1 | $289K |
| 2015-07-26 | Mescalero, Otero County | EF0 0.21 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2007-06-25 | Cloudcroft, Otero County | EF0 0.19 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2007-05-02 | Dunes, Otero County | EF0 0.58 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2007-05-02 | Desert, Otero County | EF0 3 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2006-10-15 | Orogrande, Otero County | F0 6.54 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-06-05 | Mescalero, Otero County | F0 0.2 mi x 15 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1991-04-04 | Otero County | F1 0.2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1989-07-22 | Otero County | F1 0.2 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1987-06-26 | Otero County | F0 0.2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1982-05-27 | Otero County | F2 | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1981-08-05 | Otero County | F0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1981-08-02 | Otero County | F0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1979-08-02 | Otero County | F0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1972-07-19 | Otero County | F0 3.6 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1959-06-03 | Otero County | F1 0.3 mi x 23 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1959-06-03 | Otero County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Otero County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the January 24, 2026 winter storm ($25,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-03 | Thunderstorm WindHoloman Afb Alm, Otero County | 54 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-02 | HailMayhill, Otero County | 3.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-02 | HailMayhill, Otero County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtOtero County · forecast zone East Central Tularosa Basin/Alamogordo | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtSierra County and 2 more · forecast zone West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtOtero County · forecast zone East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtOtero County · forecast zone Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtOtero County · forecast zone West Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtOtero County · forecast zone East Central Tularosa Basin/Alamogordo | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtSierra County and 2 more · forecast zone West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtOtero County · forecast zone East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtOtero County · forecast zone Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-06-06 | Thunderstorm WindDesert, Otero County A peak gust of 82 mph was reported 10 miles north of El Paso at the KQMG ASOS on the McGregor Range. The Fort Bliss Weather section reported four soldiers were injured when a field tent collapsed during the storm. | 71 kt wind | 0 | 4 | $1K |
| 2025-03-18 | Dust StormOtero County · forecast zone Southeast Tularosa Basin Otero County Emergency Manager reported US 54 was closed in both directions about 6 miles south of Boles Acres due to a pile up involving 5 semi-trucks. This accident was due to visibilities near zero in the area. Three people were transported to the hospital with injuries due to the accident. | 0 | 3 | – | |
| 2009-12-08 | High WindDoña Ana County and Otero County · forecast zone Tularosa Basin/Southern Desert Peak wind gust reported was 83 mph at the KE28 AWOS site located 19 miles west-northwest of Holloman Air Force Base. Roof was tore off of the Directorate of Plans Training Mobilization and Security building on the White Sands Missile Range. Two persons were treated for minor injuries from falling debris. Other damage ... | 72 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $2.8M |
| 2019-06-04 | TornadoBoles, Otero County Storm survey showed a mobile home was completely destroyed with 3 other residences receiving moderate damage due mainly to flying debris. Several out buildings including sheds and barns were either completely destroyed or heavily damaged. One out building was shifted off it's foundation and moved approximately 9 feet ... | EF1 0.31 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 1 | $289K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-12-08 | High WindOtero County · forecast zone Southern Sacramento Mountains | 64 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5.5M |
| 2008-05-28 | HailTularosa, Otero County | 2.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | $3.5M |
| 2009-12-08 | High WindDoña Ana County and Otero County · forecast zone Tularosa Basin/Southern Desert | 72 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $2.8M |
| 2006-06-22 | Flash FloodAlamogordo, Otero County | 0 | 0 | $1.9M | |
| 2006-08-16 | Flash FloodAlamogordo, Otero County | 0 | 0 | $878K | |
| 2011-02-01 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillDoña Ana County and Otero County · forecast zone Tularosa Basin/Southern Desert | 0 | 0 | $656K | |
| 2006-08-01 | Flash FloodEast Portion, Otero County | 0 | 0 | $586K | |
| 2008-05-28 | Thunderstorm WindTularosa, Otero County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $507K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: May 27, 1982 (tornado, Otero County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Otero County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 226 | 317 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 3 | 8 | 99 z | 99 |
| Hail | 2 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 33 | 43 | 15 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 2 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 17 | 23 | 32 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 4 | 24 | 28 | 28 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 23 | 20 | 24 |
High wind and dust storms in the 2010s: 99 records against 8 in the decade before, 99 of them forecast-zone records. Cells marked z rose mostly through zone records. The local National Weather Service office files these once per forecast zone, so a change in how it draws its zones or splits a storm into records moves this count as much as the weather does; read it beside the Otero County days with a record above.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Otero County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 71 · Feb 101 · Mar 120 · Apr 112 · May 112 · Jun 131 · Jul 140 · Aug 96 · Sep 82 · Oct 57 · Nov 55 · Dec 81 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Otero County
FEMA's register lists 24 declarations that include Otero County: 11 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 9 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for fire (12) and severe storm (5).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-22 | DR-4886 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| 2025-07-10 | EM-3628 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| 2024-06-20 | DR-4795 | Fire | South Fork Fire, Salt Fire, and Flooding |
| 2024-06-18 | FM-5498 | Fire | Salt Fire |
| 2024-06-17 | FM-5497 | Fire | South Fork Fire |
| 2020-04-05 | DR-4529 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3460 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018-06-08 | FM-5240 | Fire | Soldier Canyon Fire |
| 2016-07-14 | FM-5134 | Fire | Timberon Fire |
| 2014-10-29 | DR-4199 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2014-10-06 | DR-4197 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2013-10-29 | DR-4152 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2011-06-29 | FM-2934 | Fire | Little Lewis Fire |
| 2011-03-24 | DR-1962 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Extreme Cold Temperatures |
| 2009-05-07 | FM-2818 | Fire | Buckwood Fire |
| 2008-08-14 | DR-1783 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2006-08-30 | DR-1659 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-07 | EM-3229 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2002-05-01 | FM-2402 | Fire | Nm - Penasco Fire - 05-01-02 |
| 2001-06-03 | FM-2364 | Fire | Nm -Trap and Skeet Fire - 06/02/2001 |
| 2000-05-14 | FM-2297 | Fire | Scott Able Fire |
| 2000-05-13 | DR-1329 | Fire | Severe Forest Fire |
| 2000-05-10 | EM-3154 | Fire | Severe Fire Threats |
| 1984-09-06 | DR-722 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Otero County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 70 flood or flash flood records for Otero County from 1999 to 2025, on 67 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Otero County ranks 1169th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.5 million on 130 claims filed in Otero County; the most in one year was 52 in 2006. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1983: 1 · 1992: 1 · 1995: 1 · 1996: 2 · 1999: 10 · 2000: 1 · 2001: 1 · 2002: 2 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 4 · 2006: 52 · 2007: 3 · 2008: 4 · 2009: 1 · 2010: 5 · 2011: 4 · 2012: 1 · 2014: 17 · 2015: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2019: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 1; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Otero County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Otero County Relatively Moderate overall, with an expected annual loss of $43.3 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Relatively High | $12M | once in about 105 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High | $414K | 4.9 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively High | $1.1M | 61 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $27M | 2 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $300K | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $587K | 113 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | $558K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $4K | 1.4 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Otero County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in New MexicoEvery New Mexico tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Drought in New MexicoThe state's drought records, by county, year and month
- The New Mexico recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Otero CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Otero County's FEMA declarations (CSV)24 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis