Lordsburg-Hidalgo County Library · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Lordsburg as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lordsburg gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2006.
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 Lordsburg 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
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 Lordsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lordsburg, and Lordsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lordsburg’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Lordsburg: $653K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lordsburg flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lordsburg, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lordsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hidalgo County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Lordsburg
Disasters that paid out in Lordsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lordsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$39K to the City of Lordsburg for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Hidalgo County has had 7 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Lordsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lordsburg archive →Get ready for what Lordsburg 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.
- 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 Lordsburg
Is Lordsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lordsburg has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lordsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Lordsburg since 2006, $28K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lordsburg 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 Hidalgo County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Lordsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lordsburg’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 Lordsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Lordsburg, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $39K to the City of Lordsburg for repairs.
Is Lordsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Lordsburg’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lordsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lordsburg’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.