Photo: WmCheez · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts El Paso’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Paso gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #105 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hail (16%). Flood insurance has paid 341 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 El Paso’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What El Paso 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
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 El Paso’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in El Paso, and El Paso’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 16%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #105 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
El Paso’s residents live in 154 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, El Paso has less expected damage per building than 84% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, El Paso has lower expected damage per building than 89% (#45 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $99.2M, is the 117th largest of those 400.
Does El Paso flood? Yes: 341 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in El Paso, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS1 claim · $20K
- Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $4K
El Paso is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: El Paso County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to El Paso
Disasters that paid out in El Paso itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of El Paso), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding4,556 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved$3.6M to the City of El Paso for repairs125 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$3.3M to the City of El Paso for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
El Paso County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of El Paso after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the El Paso archive →El Paso and its neighbors
El Paso is 6th of the 8 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Westway | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Socorro | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Canutillo | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Fort Bliss | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| El Paso | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 341 |
| Sunland Park | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Chaparral | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what El Paso 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.
- 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.
- El Paso residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in El Paso
Is El Paso at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Paso has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #105 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hail (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does El Paso flood?
Flood insurance has paid 341 claims in El Paso since 1978, $6.1M in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 30 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-06-Arthur-TS (1).
Is El Paso 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 El Paso County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in El Paso?
El Paso is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 El Paso?
By FEMA money that reached El Paso, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 4,556 households applied for aid, $2.9M approved, and $3.6M to the City of El Paso for repairs. By flood claims, 2026-06-Arthur-TS: 1 paid, $20K.
Is El Paso at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and El Paso’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in El Paso.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where El Paso’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.