On FEMA’s figures, Fabens faces less hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fabens gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #41 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hail (19%). 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 Fabens 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
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 Fabens’ grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fabens, and Fabens’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 19%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A #41 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fabens’ residents live in 4 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, Fabens has less expected damage per building than 94% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Fabens: $653K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fabens flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Fabens. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Fabens isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: El Paso County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Fabens
Disasters that paid out in Fabens itself (aid to households or repair grants to Fabens), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding27 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
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 Fabens after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fabens archive →Get ready for what Fabens 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.
- 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 Fabens
Is Fabens at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fabens has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #41 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hail (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Fabens 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 Fabens?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fabens’ 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 Fabens?
By FEMA money that reached Fabens, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 27 households applied for aid, $10K approved.
Is Fabens at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Fabens’ rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fabens.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fabens’ 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.