FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Tornillo than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tornillo gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hail (21%). 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 Tornillo 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 Tornillo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tornillo, and Tornillo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 21%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tornillo’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $357K a year in losses across Tornillo: $111K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tornillo flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Tornillo. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Tornillo 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 Tornillo
Disasters that paid out in Tornillo itself (aid to households or repair grants to Tornillo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$13K 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 Tornillo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tornillo archive →Get ready for what Tornillo 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 Tornillo
Is Tornillo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tornillo has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hail (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Tornillo 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 Tornillo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tornillo’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 Tornillo?
By FEMA money that reached Tornillo, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 8 households applied for aid, $13K approved.
Is Tornillo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Tornillo’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tornillo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tornillo’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.