Photo: AllenS · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lovington than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lovington gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #45 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then wildfire (29%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2004.
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 Lovington 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
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 Lovington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lovington, and Lovington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 29%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #45 of 73 in New Mexico; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lovington’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, Lovington has more expected damage per building than 61% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Lovington: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lovington flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lovington, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lovington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lea County.The storms Lovington remembers
None of the 3 disasters declared for Lea County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Lovington itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20041 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20241 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Lea County has had 3 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 Lea County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Lovington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lovington archive →Get ready for what Lovington 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.
- 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 Lovington
Is Lovington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lovington has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #45 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and wildfire (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lovington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Lovington since 2004, $14K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lovington 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 Lea County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lovington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lovington’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Lovington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Lovington’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lovington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lovington’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.