Otero County, New Mexico

Otero County has been named in 24 federal declarations. Statewide declarations for New Mexico (25) are listed on the state page.

24declarations 11major disasters 4emergencies 1984first on record 2025latest

By hazard

Fire12

Severe Storm5

Flood4

Biological2

Hurricane1

By decade

11980s

92000s

72010s

72020s

Population: 67,836 in April 2020, 69,711 in July 2024 (Census Bureau estimates).

Declarations naming Otero County

Declared	Number	Title	Hazard	Programs	Federal aid
Jul 22, 2025	DR-4886-NM	Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides	Flood	IHPPA	$82.7 million
Jul 10, 2025	EM-3628-NM	Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides	Flood	PA	—
Jun 20, 2024	DR-4795-NM	South Fork Fire, Salt Fire, and Flooding	Fire	IHPPAHM	$218.2 million
Jun 18, 2024	FM-5498-NM	Salt Fire	Fire	PAHM	—
Jun 17, 2024	FM-5497-NM	South Fork Fire	Fire	PAHM	—
Apr 5, 2020	DR-4529-NM	COVID-19 Pandemic	Biological	IHPPAHM	$608.6 million
Mar 13, 2020	EM-3460-NM	COVID-19	Biological	PA	—
Jun 8, 2018	FM-5240-NM	Soldier Canyon Fire	Fire	PAHM	—
Jul 14, 2016	FM-5134-NM	Timberon Fire	Fire	PA	$850,539
Oct 29, 2014	DR-4199-NM	Severe Storms and Flooding	Severe Storm	PAHM	$69.3 million
Oct 6, 2014	DR-4197-NM	Severe Storms and Flooding	Severe Storm	PAHM	$6.3 million
Oct 29, 2013	DR-4152-NM	Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides	Flood	PAHM	$42.8 million
Jun 29, 2011	FM-2934-NM	Little Lewis Fire	Fire	PA	$75,494
Mar 24, 2011	DR-1962-NM	Severe Winter Storm and Extreme Cold Temperatures	Severe Storm	PAHM	$1.8 million
May 7, 2009	FM-2818-NM	Buckwood Fire	Fire	PA	$339,716
Aug 14, 2008	DR-1783-NM	Severe Storms and Flooding	Severe Storm	PAHM	$49.7 million
Aug 30, 2006	DR-1659-NM	Severe Storms and Flooding	Severe Storm	IHPIAPAHM	$34.4 million
Sep 7, 2005	EM-3229-NM	Hurricane Katrina Evacuation	Hurricane	PA	$1.0 million
May 1, 2002	FM-2402-NM	Nm - Penasco Fire - 05-01-02	Fire	PA	$2.5 million
Jun 3, 2001	FM-2364-NM	Nm -Trap and Skeet Fire - 06/02/2001	Fire	PA	—
May 14, 2000	FM-2297-NM	Scott Able Fire	Fire	PA	$650,088
May 13, 2000	DR-1329-NM	Severe Forest Fire	Fire	IAPAHM	$7.2 million
May 10, 2000	EM-3154-NM	Severe Fire Threats	Fire	PA	$2.7 million
Sep 6, 1984	DR-722-NM	Severe Storms & Flooding	Flood	PA	—