Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Fowler than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fowler gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Fowler 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
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 Fowler’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fowler, and Fowler’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Fowler’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $791K a year in losses across Fowler: $491K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fowler flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Fowler. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Fowler isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Otero County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Fowler
Disasters that paid out in Fowler itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Fowler), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Snow$1K to the Town of Fowler for repairs
Otero County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Fowler after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fowler archive →Get ready for what Fowler 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.
- 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 Fowler
Is Fowler at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fowler has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Fowler 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 Otero County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fowler?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fowler’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Fowler?
By FEMA money that reached Fowler, Snow (2006): $1K to the Town of Fowler for repairs.
Is Fowler at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Fowler’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fowler.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fowler’s 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.