Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0For hail, Las Animas’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Las Animas gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hail (15%). 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 Las Animas 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
Wildfire
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 Las Animas’ grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Las Animas, and Las Animas’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 15%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Las Animas’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Las Animas: $794K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Las Animas flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Las Animas. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Las Animas isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bent County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Las Animas
Disasters that paid out in Las Animas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Las Animas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Straight-line Winds$159K to the City of Las Animas for repairs
- 2006Snow$14K to the City of Las Animas for repairs
- 1999Co-flooding 4/30/99$37K to the City of Las Animas for repairs
Bent 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 Las Animas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Las Animas archive →Get ready for what Las Animas 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Las Animas
Is Las Animas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Las Animas has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hail (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Las Animas 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 Bent County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Las Animas?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Las Animas’ 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 Las Animas?
By FEMA money that reached Las Animas, Straight-line Winds (2020): $159K to the City of Las Animas for repairs.
Is Las Animas at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Las Animas’ rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Las Animas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Las Animas’ 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.