Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Clovis’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clovis gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #11 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then wildfire (16%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1984.
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 stands out about Clovis’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clovis 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
Wildfire
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Clovis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clovis, and Clovis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 16%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #11 of 73 in New Mexico; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clovis’ residents live in 12 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, Clovis has less expected damage per building than 86% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.6M a year in losses across Clovis: $8.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clovis flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clovis, 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.
Clovis is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Curry County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Clovis
Disasters that paid out in Clovis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clovis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes442 households applied for aid$665K aid approved
Curry County has had 2 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms. 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 Curry County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Clovis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clovis archive →Get ready for what Clovis 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Clovis residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Clovis
Is Clovis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clovis has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #11 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and wildfire (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clovis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Clovis since 1984, $552K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Clovis 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 Curry County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clovis?
Clovis is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Clovis?
By FEMA money that reached Clovis, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2007): 442 households applied for aid, $665K approved.
Is Clovis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Clovis’ rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clovis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clovis’ 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.