Surrounded by Las Cruces at roughly 3,963 feet, this census-designated place had about 3,000 residents in 2020 with a median age under 21. Its 742 housing units include many one-person households, and the campus weather station has logged both the area's record high and record low, which says a lot about the conditions buildings here face.
Fire & Water Energy is a referral line, and independent companies do the actual work. Call (866) 937-3230 and we'll try to get you in contact with an independent restoration contractor serving University Park and Las Cruces. Campus buildings usually have their own facilities process, so this is mainly for private homes and rentals. Availability depends on local providers; see how it works.
Monsoon rain, rare hard freezes and county declarations
The Las Cruces area averages only about 9 inches of precipitation a year, and most of it arrives in July, August and September during monsoon thunderstorms. Measurements at NMSU recorded −10°F on January 11, 1962, and 110°F on June 28, 1994. Light freezes occur on around 69 nights a year, and spring afternoons can bring blowing dust.
Doña Ana County has been part of four FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000: a severe forest fire in 2000 (DR-1329), severe storms and flooding in 2006 (DR-1659), severe storms, flooding and mudslides in 2013 (DR-4152), and severe storms, flooding and landslides in 2025 (DR-4886). They were issued for the county as a whole.
Water damage in rentals, shared housing and small homes
With so many renters and one-person households, leaks often go unnoticed while people are in class, at work or away on break. Typical culprits are washing machine and dishwasher hoses, overflowing tubs, water heaters, air conditioner condensate lines and roofs that let monsoon rain through. Pipes exposed on freezing nights can crack, too.
A contractor performing water damage restoration in University Park will usually find the source, remove water, check walls and floors with moisture meters, then dry the space before water damage repair. Tenants should tell their landlord right away; owners can read about emergency water removal.
Federal disaster declarations that included Doña Ana County
FEMA records show Doña Ana County was included in 4 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (2 flood, 1 severe storm, 1 fire, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in University Park was affected. The most recent:
- 2025 – Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (DR-4886)
- 2013 – Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (DR-4152)
- 2006 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-1659)
- 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 University Park?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your University Park property.
Apartment fires, smoke and soot
In shared housing, a fire in one unit can send smoke and soot into the units next door and leave water damage below. Cooking fires and space heaters are frequent causes. Wildfire smoke, which the 2000 county declaration shows is a regional concern, can add haze and odor.
Contractors commonly clear debris, clean soot off walls and belongings, deodorize and clean HVAC components. See smoke damage cleanup and fire damage restoration for more about each stage.
When a summer storm floods the ground floor
Las Cruces records show how much rain one storm can bring: 6.49 inches fell on August 30, 1935, and September 1941 totaled 7.53 inches. Heavy cells today can still overwhelm drainage, sending water under doors and into ground-floor rooms and parking areas.
Floodwater from outdoors is contaminated. Proper flood cleanup means extracting water, removing soaked carpet and the lower part of drywall, disinfecting and drying. For roof and wind damage, look at storm damage cleanup.
Mold in closed-up rooms
A unit left empty over summer or winter break can hide a slow leak long enough for mold to take hold, even in desert air. Check under sinks, behind toilets and around window frames when you return.
The EPA says patches smaller than about 10 square feet are often safe for a healthy adult to clean with gloves and eye protection. Anything bigger, or mold in a rental you don't control, should be reported to the owner and may need mold removal professionals.
University Park residents: first steps
- For fire, a gas smell, injuries or structural danger, leave and call 911.
- Sign up for AggieAlert, NMSU's text and email emergency notification system; family members can register too.
- Shut off water at the fixture or main if you can do so safely, and avoid wet outlets.
- Photograph damage to the unit and your belongings, and notify your landlord in writing.
- Renters' and homeowners' policies differ; ask your insurer what yours includes.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from University Park):
- Las Cruces · 2 mi
- Mesilla · 3 mi
- Anthony · 21 mi
- Chaparral · 28 mi
- Santa Teresa · 30 mi
- Sunland Park · 35 mi
University Park restoration FAQs
What is AggieAlert and can parents sign up?
AggieAlert is New Mexico State University's emergency notification system, sending texts and emails about threats to campus safety. NMSU users get email alerts automatically and can add a phone number, and family or friends can register through the sign-up portal.
When is flooding most likely in University Park and around NMSU?
Late summer. July, August and September are the wettest months in the Las Cruces area, mostly from monsoon thunderstorms that can drop a lot of rain quickly.
Do pipes really freeze in Las Cruces?
Sometimes. Light freezes happen on roughly 69 nights a year, and NMSU recorded −10°F in January 1962. Hard freezes are rare, but exposed pipes can still split.
I rent near campus. Who handles the cleanup?
Usually your landlord or property manager arranges repairs to the building, while your renters policy may address your belongings. Report the damage in writing right away. Owners can call us and we will try to find an independent contractor.
Restoration guides
- Water Damage Restoration
- Water Damage Repair
- Emergency Water Removal
- Smoke Damage Cleanup
- Flood Cleanup
- Mold Removal