Photo: HeatherMarieKosur · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in El Paso than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Paso gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #198 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). 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 El Paso 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 El Paso’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in El Paso, and El Paso’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B #198 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of El Paso’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, El Paso has less expected damage per building than 74% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across El Paso: $749K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does El Paso flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in El Paso. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
El Paso isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Woodford County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to El Paso
Disasters that paid out in El Paso itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of El Paso), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$5K to the City of El Paso for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to the City of El Paso for repairs
Woodford County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of El Paso after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the El Paso archive →Get ready for what El Paso 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 El Paso
Is El Paso at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Paso has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #198 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 El Paso 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 Woodford County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in El Paso?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for El Paso’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 El Paso?
By FEMA money that reached El Paso, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 3 households applied for aid, $9K approved, and $5K to the City of El Paso for repairs.
Is El Paso at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and El Paso’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in El Paso.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where El Paso’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.