Photo: B575 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Horizon City than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Horizon City gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #21 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hail (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 Horizon City 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 Horizon City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Horizon City, and Horizon City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 20%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A #21 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Horizon City’s residents live in 9 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, Horizon City has less expected damage per building than 97% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Horizon City: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Horizon City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Horizon City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Horizon City 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 Horizon City
Disasters that paid out in Horizon City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Horizon City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding67 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$23K to the City of Horizon City for repairs
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 Horizon City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Horizon City archive →Horizon City and its neighbors
Horizon City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon City | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Agua Dulce | Bless damage than 61% | 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 Horizon City 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Horizon City
Is Horizon City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Horizon City has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #21 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hail (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Horizon City 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 Horizon City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Horizon City’s 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 Horizon City?
By FEMA money that reached Horizon City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 67 households applied for aid, $7K approved, and $23K to the City of Horizon City for repairs.
Is Horizon City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Horizon City’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Horizon City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Horizon City’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.