Artesia sits at about 3,379 feet in northern Eddy County, roughly four miles west of the Pecos River. The town takes its name from the artesian aquifer found here in 1903, which fed farm wells until it was heavily drawn down in the 1920s. Today it is a dry, sunny place where a single storm or a split pipe can still do real harm to a house.
Fire & Water Energy runs a referral line and never performs the cleanup work itself. Phone (866) 937-3230 and we will try to put you in touch with an independent contractor who works in Artesia. Whether a provider is free depends on local businesses, so nothing can be promised; see our referral disclosure and how it works page for details.
Rain totals, temperature swings and disaster history in northern Eddy County
Under 1991-2020 normals, the city collects about 12.1 inches of precipitation a year. September averages 1.89 inches, July 1.67 and August 1.63, while January is the driest month at under half an inch. Snow is light, about 3.8 inches a season. Temperatures range widely: the record high is 116°F (June 29, 1918) and the record low is -20°F (January 11, 1962).
Eddy County has been included in four FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000: a severe forest fire in 2000 (DR-1329), severe storms and flooding in 2004 (DR-1514), severe storms, flooding and mudslides in 2013 (DR-4152), and severe storms and flooding in 2014 (DR-4199). Those were county-wide declarations, so they don't say which streets were affected.
Why Artesia houses take on water
Because most moisture arrives in a few heavy bursts, roof flashing, gutters and window seals get tested all at once in late summer. In the hot months, swamp coolers and AC drain lines run hard and can overflow into ceilings. Winter cold snaps, though infrequent, can freeze lines in crawl spaces, exterior walls or unheated garages.
When you look for water damage restoration in Artesia, expect a contractor to stop the source first, extract standing water, check hidden moisture with meters and then set up drying equipment before rebuilding. Our pages on water damage restoration and structural drying describe those steps.
Federal disaster declarations that included Eddy County
FEMA records show Eddy County was included in 4 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (2 severe storm, 1 flood, 1 fire, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Artesia was affected. The most recent:
- 2014 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4199)
- 2013 – Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (DR-4152)
- 2004 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-1514)
- 2000 – Severe Forest Fire (DR-1329)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Artesia?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Artesia property.
Smoke and soot after a house fire
Dry air and low humidity mean wood, fabrics and attic materials burn readily, and the county's 2000 forest fire declaration is a reminder that fire risk here is not only indoors. Inside a home, soot drifts well past the room where flames started and settles into ducts, closets and porous surfaces.
Fire cleanup firms commonly secure the structure, haul out debris, clean residue with methods suited to each material and treat lingering odor. Both fire damage cleanup and soot removal have their own guides on this site.
Flooding and storm cleanup near the Pecos
Three of Eddy County's federal declarations since 2000 involved severe storms and flooding. On flat, sun-baked ground, a cloudburst can run off faster than it soaks in, pushing water toward garages, slab doorways and low yards.
Treat any floodwater that entered from the yard or street as unsanitary. A typical crew removes soaked carpet pad and lower drywall, cleans and disinfects, and dries the framing before repairs. See flood cleanup and storm damage cleanup for more.
Keeping mold from following a leak
The semi-arid air dries exposed surfaces quickly, but moisture trapped behind baseboards, under flooring or in insulation can linger long enough for mold to grow. Musty smells after a storm or plumbing failure are worth investigating.
The EPA suggests calling an experienced professional when mold covers more than about 10 square feet. Remediation usually involves containment, HEPA air filtration and removal of affected materials. Our mold remediation guide covers what Artesia owners should expect.
First steps for Artesia households
- Call 911 for fire, injuries, gas odors or water rising around you, and leave if the building seems unsafe.
- Turn off power only if you can do it without standing in water.
- Sign up for local notices through the City of Artesia Notify Me service.
- Before anything is torn out, take photos of each affected room and belonging, and hold on to every receipt. What gets paid for depends on your own policy, so ask your agent or insurer before you assume anything.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Artesia):
Artesia restoration FAQs
Which months bring the most rain to Artesia?
September is the wettest month on average, followed by July and August. Together those three months account for a big portion of the roughly 12 inches the city gets each year. That is the stretch when roof leaks and runoff problems tend to show up.
Can pipes really freeze in Artesia?
Yes. Winters are usually mild, but the city has recorded temperatures as low as -20°F. Pipes in crawl spaces, garages and outside walls are the most exposed during a hard freeze, so insulate them and know where your main shutoff is.
Has Eddy County had federal flood declarations?
Yes. FEMA declarations in 2004, 2013 and 2014 covering severe storms and flooding included Eddy County. These were county-level, so they don't identify specific Artesia neighborhoods that flooded.
Is the Pecos River a flood concern for the city?
The Pecos River runs about four miles east of town. Most water problems homeowners face come from heavy local rain, roofs and plumbing, but check FEMA flood maps for your address if you are unsure about your risk.
Restoration guides
- Water Damage Restoration
- Structural Drying
- Flood Cleanup
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Fire Damage Cleanup
- Mold Remediation