El Paso, Texas: natural disaster risk
How exposed El Paso is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for El Paso County.
El Paso is a city of 680,130 people in El Paso County, Texas. FEMA's National Risk Index rates El Paso County relatively high for natural hazards overall, higher than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are inland flooding, hail and heat wave, with about $121 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 455 storm reports in the county since 1957, including 6 tornadoes and 155 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 0 hurricanes and 1 tropical storm passing within 65 miles of the county's center. About 1.1% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for El Paso County. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in El Paso
Full El Paso County report ›- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Ask about the roof age and any impact-rated shingles.
- Check your home policy for a separate wind and hail deductible.
- Check that cooling works before summer.
- Know where the nearest cooling center is.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $70M | |
| Hail | $15M | |
| Heat wave | $14M | |
| Lightning | $7M | |
| Earthquake | $5M | |
| Cold wave | $3M | |
| Winter weather | $2M | |
| Strong wind | $2M | |
| Drought | $2M | |
| Tornado | $434K | |
| Ice storm | $148K | |
| Wildfire | $119K |
Homes in El Paso
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in El Paso County
More cities in El Paso County
Common questions about El Paso
Is El Paso safe from natural disasters?
El Paso is in El Paso County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively high overall, higher than most of the US. The biggest hazards are inland flooding, hail, heat wave. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in El Paso?
By expected yearly losses in El Paso County, the top hazards are inland flooding (High), hail (Very High), heat wave (High). El Paso County has been part of 13 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does El Paso get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 6 tornadoes in El Paso County since 1950; the strongest was an F1 tornado on June 21, 1992. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county low.
Do I need flood insurance in El Paso?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In El Paso County, about 1.1% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk high. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.