Photo: Vasiliymeshko · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Roswell faces more hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roswell gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #63 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 71 claims here since 1978.
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 Roswell’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Roswell 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 Roswell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Roswell, and Roswell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #63 of 73 in New Mexico; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Roswell’s residents live in 14 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, Roswell has more expected damage per building than 86% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $35.0M a year in losses across Roswell: $29.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Roswell flood? Sometimes: 71 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Roswell, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Roswell is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Chaves County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Roswell
Disasters that paid out in Roswell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Roswell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding2,719 households applied for aid$18.5M aid approved$47.4M to the City of Roswell for repairs54 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$89K to the City of Roswell for repairs
Chaves County has had 6 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 Roswell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Roswell archive →Get ready for what Roswell 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.
- Roswell residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Roswell
Is Roswell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roswell has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #63 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Roswell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 71 claims in Roswell since 1978, $7.2M in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Roswell 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 Chaves County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Roswell?
Roswell is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Roswell?
By FEMA money that reached Roswell, Severe Storm and Flooding (2024): 2,719 households applied for aid, $18.5M approved, and $47.4M to the City of Roswell for repairs.
Is Roswell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Roswell’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Roswell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Roswell’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.