Mapping Status

Last Updated: February 14, 2014.

New Mexico's Counties are in various stages of FEMA Flood Mapping Programs. Hover your mouse over a county to learn more about its mapping status, National Flood Insurance Program status, and Community Rating System status. Look below the map for more details about each of these programs. Click here for a mobile-friendly map.

Mapping Status Details - This information tells you what type of map has been created for each county.

  • DFIRM - Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map - This is the most recent data available and can be used in a GIS. DFIRM maps may contain both detailed elevation data and approximate boundaries. DFIRM data is available for viewing at the National Flood Hazard Layer interactive map or for download from RGIS. Learn more about DFIRMs at FloodSmart.gov.
  • FIRM - Flood Insurance Rate Map - Flood Insurance Rate Maps may contain both detailed elevation data and approximate boundaries but are not available digitally from FEMA. New Mexico FIRMS have been digitized by the Earth Data Analysis Center and are available from RGIS. They should NOT be used for insurance or engineering purposes. Learn more about DFIRMs at FloodSmart.gov.
  • FHBM - Flood Hazard Boundary Map - Flood Hazard Boundary Maps were generated in the 1970's and 1980's without detailed studies or hydraulic analysis. FHBM were originally intended for interim use but are the best available data in some New Mexico Counties. FHBM are not available digitally from FEMA but have been digitized by EDAC, and are available on RGIS. They should NOT be used for insurance or engineering purposes.

FEMA Flood Zones (FEMA Definitions)

  • A - Areas subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event generally determined using approximate methodologies. Because detailed hydraulic analyses have not been performed, no Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) or flood depths are shown. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply.
  • AE - Areas subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event determined using detailed methodologies. Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) or flood depths are shown. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply.
  • AH - Flood depths of 1 to 3 feet (usually areas of ponding); Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) determined. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply.
  • AO - Flood depths of 1 to 3 feet (usually sheet flow on sloping terrain); average depths determined. For areas of alluvial fan flooding, velocities also determined. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply.
  • B - Areas of moderate to minimal flood hazard risk. Insurance is not mandatory.
  • C - Areas of moderate to minimal flood hazard risk. Insurance is not mandatory.
  • X - Areas of moderate to minimal flood hazard risk. Insurance is not mandatory.
  • Special Flood Hazard Area [base floodplain, 100 year floodplain, 1% floodplain] - on maps indicated by the following Zones: A, AE, A1-30, AO, AH, V, VE, or V1-30. Learn more about SFHAs from FloodSmart.gov.
  • Non-Special Flood Hazard Area Learn more about SFHAs from FloodSmart.gov.

NFIP - National Flood Insurance Program The NFIP was created in 1968 to help provide means for property owners to help protect themselves from flood damage.

CRS - Community Rating System The CRS is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements.