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Every federal disaster in El Paso since 1953

Each square is a disaster or emergency declaration by the President or FEMA that covered El Paso County. Declarations make federal aid available after hurricanes, floods, storms, fires and other events, so this is a record of the big ones.

Declarations
27since 1953
Major disasters
16the most serious kind
Since 2000
14declarations
Most recent
2021Severe Winter Storms
1953195319541957195819591960196019611963197019741980199019981998199920002003200520052005200620062008200820082010202020202020202020212021
Hurricanes and tropical storms (8)Severe storms and tornadoes (5)Floods (4)Fires (4)Biological (COVID-19) (3)Winter storms (2)Other (1)

FEMA's National Risk Index rates El Paso County's overall natural hazard risk relatively high, led by winter weather, hail and lightning. The history above shows what has actually happened; the risk index estimates what is likely.

All declarations

DeclaredEventTypeFEMA number
Feb 19, 2021Severe Winter StormsMajor disasterDR-4586
Feb 14, 2021Severe Winter StormEmergencyEM-3554
Mar 25, 2020COVID-19 PandemicMajor disasterDR-4485
Mar 13, 2020COVID-19EmergencyEM-3458
Mar 13, 2020COVID-19EmergencyEM-3501
Sep 10, 2008Hurricane IkeEmergencyEM-3294
Aug 29, 2008Hurricane GustavEmergencyEM-3290
Mar 14, 2008WildfiresEmergencyEM-3284
Aug 15, 2006Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disasterDR-1658
Jan 11, 2006Extreme Wildfire ThreatMajor disasterDR-1624
Sep 24, 2005Hurricane RitaMajor disasterDR-1606
Sep 21, 2005Hurricane RitaEmergencyEM-3261
Sep 2, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergencyEM-3216
Feb 1, 2003Loss of the Space Shuttle ColumbiaEmergencyEM-3171
Sep 1, 1999Extreme Fire HazardsEmergencyEM-3142
Aug 26, 1998Tropical Storm CharleyMajor disasterDR-1239
Jun 23, 1998FireEmergencyEM-3127
Nov 30, 1974Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disasterDR-454
Sep 24, 1963Hurricane CindyMajor disasterDR-159
Sep 16, 1961Hurricane CarlaMajor disasterDR-118
Jul 15, 1960Heavy Rains, Hail, Floods & TornadoesMajor disasterDR-103
Jul 8, 1959FloodsMajor disasterDR-93
Jun 6, 1958Tornadoes, Rain, Hail & FloodsMajor disasterDR-85
Apr 29, 1957Hurricane, Rain, Wind, Hail & FloodsMajor disasterDR-72
Jul 1, 1954FloodMajor disasterDR-18
Jun 19, 1953FloodMajor disasterDR-9
May 15, 1953Tornado & Heavy RainfallMajor disasterDR-2

Frequently asked questions

How many federal disasters has El Paso had?

Since 1953, the federal government has issued 27 disaster or emergency declarations covering El Paso County, including 16 major disaster declarations. 14 of them came in 2000 or later.

What was the most recent federal disaster in El Paso?

Severe Winter Storms (Major disaster, declared February 19, 2021).

What kinds of disasters hit El Paso most often?

By FEMA incident type: hurricane (8), flood (4), fire (4) and severe storm (3).

New to El Paso? The moving checklist covers flood maps and emergency alerts, and the risk summary shows FEMA's hazard ratings.

Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), downloaded October 18, 2026. We list declarations that named El Paso County, plus early statewide declarations from before FEMA designated individual counties. "Major disaster" declarations bring the widest federal aid; "emergency" declarations cover shorter-term help; "fire management" declarations help pay to fight large wildfires.