Photo: AllenS · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in University Park than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, University Park gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #1 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then earthquakes (20%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 University Park 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
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 University Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in University Park, and University Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 97% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 20% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #1 of 73 in New Mexico; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of University Park’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Mexico town has higher expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, University Park has less expected damage per building than 100% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $744K a year in losses across University Park: $551K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does University Park flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in University Park. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
University Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dona Ana County.The storms University Park remembers
None of the 7 disasters declared for Dona Ana County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching University Park itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
Dona Ana 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.
Get ready for what University Park 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in University Park
Is University Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, University Park has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and earthquakes (20%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is University Park 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 Dona Ana County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in University Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for University Park’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is University Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and University Park’s rate for it is lower than 97% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in University Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where University Park’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.