Photo: AllenS · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Artesia than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Artesia gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #49 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1980.
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 Artesia 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 Artesia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Artesia, and Artesia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #49 of 73 in New Mexico; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Artesia’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New Mexico town has higher expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Artesia has more expected damage per building than 67% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.7M a year in losses across Artesia: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Artesia flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Artesia, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Artesia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Eddy County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Artesia
Disasters that paid out in Artesia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Artesia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the City of Artesia for repairs
Eddy County has had 7 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Eddy County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Artesia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Artesia archive →Get ready for what Artesia 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 Artesia
Is Artesia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Artesia has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #49 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Artesia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Artesia since 1980, $30K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Artesia 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 Eddy County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Artesia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Artesia’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 Artesia?
By FEMA money that reached Artesia, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): $2K to the City of Artesia for repairs.
Is Artesia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Artesia’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Artesia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Artesia’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.