Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Cimarron Hills than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cimarron Hills gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #14 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hail (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2023.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Cimarron Hills faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hail
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Cimarron Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cimarron Hills, and Cimarron Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 16%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #14 of 159 in Colorado; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cimarron Hills’ residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Colorado town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Cimarron Hills has less expected damage per building than 92% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Cimarron Hills: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cimarron Hills flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cimarron Hills, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cimarron Hills isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: El Paso County.The storms Cimarron Hills remembers
None of the 14 disasters declared for El Paso County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Cimarron Hills itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20231 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for El Paso County
El Paso County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in El Paso County, 2012–2013.
Old photos of Cimarron Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cimarron Hills archive →Get ready for what Cimarron Hills faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cimarron Hills
Is Cimarron Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cimarron Hills has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #14 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hail (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cimarron Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Cimarron Hills since 2023, $25K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cimarron Hills in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In El Paso County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cimarron Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cimarron Hills’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Cimarron Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Cimarron Hills’ rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cimarron Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cimarron Hills’ residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.