El Paso wraps around the Franklin Mountains on the Rio Grande, high in the Chihuahuan Desert. Dry most of the year, the city gets the bulk of its rain from the North American Monsoon between June and September, and storm runoff off the mountains moves quickly toward the neighborhoods below.
Fire & Water Energy only makes referrals; we are not the company that does the cleanup. Phone (866) 937-3230 and we will try to reach an independent restoration contractor serving El Paso County. Whether one is available is up to local providers at that moment. Our how it works page lays out the steps, and the referral disclosure explains our arrangement with contractors.
Desert monsoons, mountain runoff and rare deep freezes
Average rainfall is only about 8.8 inches, but it tends to arrive all at once. El Paso Water notes that monsoon storms can drop a year's worth of water within days, sometimes over a small area, and that water rushing off the Franklin Mountains carries debris downhill. In late July and early August 2006, up to 10 inches fell in a week, and much of the damage was tied to newer development in arroyos. That event led the city to create a stormwater utility in 2008. FEMA's 2006 Severe Storms and Flooding declaration (DR-1658) covered El Paso County.
Cold snaps are rare but severe. On February 2, 2011, the high reached only 15°F, the next morning hit 1°F, rolling blackouts followed and water pipes broke around town. The county was also included in the 2021 Severe Winter Storms declaration. Spring brings sand and dust storms from March into early May.
Why desert homes still get water damage
Homes here are built for heat, so plumbing in exterior walls, attics and garages is often exposed when a rare hard freeze arrives. Swamp coolers and AC units can leak onto ceilings, and flat or low-slope roofs may pond water during a monsoon cloudburst. Water heater failures and slab leaks happen here like anywhere else.
When you search for water damage restoration in El Paso, a reputable company will usually stop the source, extract water, check hidden moisture behind walls and under flooring and dry the structure with dehumidifiers and air movers. The dry air helps, but trapped moisture inside wall cavities still needs equipment. More on water extraction and burst pipe water damage.
Federal disaster declarations that included El Paso County
FEMA records show El Paso County was included in 4 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (1 severe ice storm, 1 severe storm, 1 fire, 1 hurricane, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in El Paso was affected. The most recent:
- 2021 – Severe Winter Storms (DR-4586)
- 2006 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-1658)
- 2006 – Extreme Wildfire Threat (DR-1624)
- 2005 – Hurricane Rita (DR-1606)
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 El Paso?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your El Paso property.
Fire, smoke and dust in a dry climate
Long dry seasons and FEMA's 2006 Extreme Wildfire Threat declaration for El Paso County are reminders that brush and grass can burn on the city's open edges. Indoors, kitchen fires, electrical faults and dryer lint remain the most common sources of smoke damage.
Fine soot and blowing dust both settle into carpets, ducts and upholstery. Contractors commonly sort what can be cleaned from what should be replaced, then use dry sponges, HEPA vacuums and wet cleaning before treating odor. Our smoke damage cleanup and fire damage restoration pages cover more.
Arroyo flooding and cleanup after summer storms
Arroyos that sit dry for months can fill in minutes during a monsoon downpour. Water that pushes in from outside picks up sediment, debris and sometimes sewage, so it is handled as contaminated. Mud has to be shoveled out, soaked drywall and insulation removed and floors cleaned and disinfected before drying.
El Paso Water offers free sandbags before storm season, which can help steer shallow runoff away from doors. If water already got in, see flood cleanup and storm water damage restoration for what the work usually involves.
Mold risk is lower here, but not zero
Low humidity helps surfaces dry, yet mold still grows where water lingers: inside walls after a slow pipe leak, under vinyl flooring, or in a closet that flooded during the monsoon. Swamp coolers that drip into walls are another source.
EPA guidance says patches under about 10 square feet can often be handled by a homeowner after the moisture is fixed. Larger areas, or mold following floodwater, usually warrant professional mold remediation with containment.
Safety checklist for El Paso households
- Call 911 for fire, injuries, gas odors or people trapped by water.
- Follow the Turn Around Don't Drown message: never drive into a flooded street or arroyo crossing.
- Turn off electricity to flooded rooms only if you can do it from a dry spot.
- Wear gloves and boots near muddy floodwater, and keep children and pets away.
- Record damage with photos and video and keep a list of ruined items.
- Your coverage depends on your policy; call your insurer or agent before agreeing to repairs.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around El Paso that callers often mention include:
- Sunset Heights
- Kern Place
- Segundo Barrio
- Chihuahuita
- Magoffin Historic District
- Upper Valley
- Coronado Hills
- Mission Valley
- Ysleta
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from El Paso):
- Sunland Park, NM · 6 mi
- Santa Teresa, NM · 11 mi
- Socorro · 13 mi
- Anthony, NM · 18 mi
- Chaparral, NM · 19 mi
- University Park, NM · 39 mi
El Paso restoration FAQs
When is flood season in El Paso?
Most rain falls from June through September during the North American Monsoon. Storms can be intense and very localized, so one part of town may flood while another stays dry. The 2006 floods came in late July and early August.
Where can I get sandbags before a monsoon storm?
El Paso Water provides free sandbags and lists pickup locations on its website. Placing them before a storm can help keep shallow runoff from reaching doorways.
Can pipes really freeze in El Paso?
Yes. In February 2011 the temperature fell to 1°F and water pipes broke around the city. Insulating exposed lines and knowing where your main shutoff is can limit damage during the next cold snap.
Do you cover Socorro and Horizon City?
We take calls from nearby communities such as Socorro and Horizon City. We will try to find an independent contractor working there, but availability depends on local providers.
Does the dry air mean I can skip professional drying?
Not always. Surfaces may look dry within hours while moisture remains inside walls, subfloors or under cabinets. A moisture meter check is the reliable way to know.
Restoration guides
- Flood Cleanup
- Storm Water Damage Restoration
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Water Extraction
- Smoke Damage Cleanup
- Mold Remediation