Presidio Chapel of San Elizario · Photo: Jsweida · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than San Elizario, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Elizario gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #1 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hail (30%). 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 San Elizario 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 San Elizario’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Elizario, and San Elizario’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 30%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #1 of 642 in Texas; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
San Elizario’s residents live in 6 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, San Elizario has less expected damage per building than 100% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $880K a year in losses across San Elizario: $328K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does San Elizario flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in San Elizario. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
San Elizario 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 San Elizario
Disasters that paid out in San Elizario itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of San Elizario), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding78 households applied for aid$18K 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 San Elizario after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Elizario archive →San Elizario and its neighbors
San Elizario 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Elizario | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Socorro | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 San Elizario 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 San Elizario
Is San Elizario at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Elizario has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hail (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is San Elizario 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 San Elizario?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for San Elizario’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 San Elizario?
By FEMA money that reached San Elizario, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 78 households applied for aid, $18K approved.
Is San Elizario at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and San Elizario’s rate for it is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Elizario.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Elizario’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.