Photo: Roman Eugeniusz · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Socorro faces less hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Socorro gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #20 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hail (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2004.
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 Socorro 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 Socorro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Socorro, and Socorro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 22%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A #20 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Socorro’s residents live in 11 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, Socorro has less expected damage per building than 97% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Socorro: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Socorro flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Socorro, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Socorro 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 Socorro
Disasters that paid out in Socorro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Socorro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding155 households applied for aid$65K aid approved$204K to the City of Socorro 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 Socorro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Socorro archive →Socorro and its neighbors
Socorro is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Elizario | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Socorro | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| El Paso | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 341 |
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 Socorro 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 Socorro
Is Socorro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Socorro has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #20 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hail (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Socorro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Socorro since 2004, $2K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Socorro 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 Socorro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Socorro’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 Socorro?
By FEMA money that reached Socorro, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 155 households applied for aid, $65K approved, and $204K to the City of Socorro for repairs.
Is Socorro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Socorro’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Socorro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Socorro’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.