Welcome to the City of Las Cruces Stormwater and Floodzone Information page. It is important to plan ahead for possible storms and flooding. Here you can find helpful information and resources about stormwater in Las Cruces and information on the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The SFHA is an area where the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP’s) floodplain management regulations must be enforced and they are where the mandatory purchase of flood insurance applies. For flooding and stormwater pollution violations in your neighborhood, you can submit a report to Ask Las Cruces.
In this section, you can also get more information on:
- Community Rating System (CRS)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Flood Maps
- Letters of Maps Change (LOMC)
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- Obtaining Elevation Certificates
Services offered include site visits and recommendations for:
- Retrofitting
- Drainage Improvements
- Floodproofing
- Elevation
- Addition
- Demolition
- Relocation
- Mitigation Options
Certified Floodplain Managers are also available to provide information regarding:
- Building Code
- Maps
- Historical Data
- Basic Insurance Information
- Financial Assistance Advice
- City of Las Cruces Flood Map Availability
- Available Services
- FEMA Map Review
- Special Flood Hazard Area Determination
- Floodway Determination
- Base Flood Elevations as Noted on FEMA Profiles
- Elevation Certificates (available for review)
- Basic Flood Insurance Information
- Certified Flood Plain Manager
- Building Requirements
- Floodproofing Requirements
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Individual homes that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial, municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters.
MS4
Polluted stormwater runoff is commonly transported through Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), from which it is often discharged untreated into local waterbodies. To prevent harmful pollutants from being washed or dumped into an MS4, operators must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters.
Community Rating System
Participating communities start off as a Class 10 Community in the NFIP’s Community Rating System (CRS) program and try (through regulating development, drainage maintenance, stormwater management, and various outreach projects) to work their way up to a Class 1 Community. Every time a community moves up a class, the residents with NFIP flood insurance policies get a 5% reduction in their premiums.
As of October 1, 2020, the City of Las Cruces is a Class 7 Community which gives a 15% discount for those with a High Risk Policy and a 5% for those with a Moderate Risk Policy.
The reduction should be automatic, but you may want to contact your insurance agent to make sure your policy has been adjusted to reflect the NFIP/CRS discount. Based on the Class 6 Rating, this past year City of Las Cruces NFIP policy holders saved a combined $180,000. The City of Las Cruces honors the State of New Mexico with the best CRS rating in New Mexico. Nationwide only 67 communities out of 1,148 have a lower (or better) rating than the City of Las Cruces.
| CRS CLASS | CRS Discount |
|---|---|
| 1 | 45% |
| 2 | 40% |
| 3 | 35% |
| 4 | 30% |
| 5 | 25% |
| 6 | 20% |
| 7 | 15% |
| 8 | 10% |
| 9 | 5% |
| 10 | 0 |
The City hosted Floodproofing.com to conduct an educational outreach to residents who are interested in learning more about how floodplains affect Las Cruces and a general overview of the Community Rating System. Please click the link below to view the webinar.
This page has links to many other sites (“third-party sites”). A link to a third-party site does not imply that City of Las Cruces endorses or is associated with the third party site, or that the third party site endorses or is associated with the City. These links are provided for informational purposes only. City of Las Cruces does not control and is not responsible for the content, accuracy or completeness of third-party site.
Find helpful information regarding Elevation Certificate Repository.
Federal, county and city entities within Dona Ana County have joined forces to launch a comprehensive campaign to involve concerned community members to help stop illegal dumping.
Goal
The goal of our combined efforts will:
- Improve the health of the environment for wildlife and future generations to enjoy
- Improve the local economy for the benefit of all Dona Ana County residents
- Improve public health and safety
- Increase the beauty of the landscape
NoThro App
NoThro App allows you to report illegal dumping using your cell phone’s camera to capture photos of illegal dump sites. The application sends a geo tag or GPS location with the image and generates a report. The NoThro app is free and available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android phones. It can be found on Apple’s App Store or on the Google Play store.
Additional Information
You may also call City Codes Enforcement at 575-528-4100 to report illegal dumping.
- Elephant Butte Irrigation District River Flow and Gauge
- Weather Stations/Rainfall Data
- City Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance 3051
- Department of Homeland Security
- Map Service Center (MSC)
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- FEMA Disaster Hotline
- Flood Document Links for FEMA/NFIP
- Stormwater Management Documents
- FEMA
- Help After A Disaster
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Fact Sheet
- NFIP Regulations
- Understanding Elevation Certificates
- Flood Insurance for Renters
- Increased Cost of Compliance Coverage
- Protect the Life You’ve Built with Flood Insurance
- Community Rating System
- FloodSmart
- Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014
FEMA IPAWS Alerts
FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a national test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) on Oct. 4, 2023.
The test will reach millions of mobile phones across the country via Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), radio and television via the Emergency Alert System (EAS), and other communication pathways.
Test will take place at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023.
Safety Before, During, and After Flooding
It is possible to prepare for storms and flooding and reduce potential disasters.
Make a Plan
Make a Plan that includes your family and include pets. You may also include neighbors, friends and extended family if you think it will be helpful.
The Plan should also prepare children or those with special needs for disasters. To help reduce fears help family members build Ready Kits that provide comfort like toys or snacks. Ask children what they feel they may need to feel at ease if a disaster strikes. Do safety drills to practice your plan and give everyone a place to go should anyone become separated. If there are special needs, learn what equipment needs electricity and identify alternative power sources and be sure to account for medications. Pets should be up to date on vaccinations and should be microchipped in case of separation. Take photos of family members including pets and keep important documents on your phone if possible. It may be a good idea to also have a Ready Kit for pets which include a leash, food or carrier.
What else should you consider?
An emergency kit is a great idea and should include about two weeks worth of supplies for each family member. It should include documents, medications, antibacterial gel and wipes, soap, water, non-perishable food, can opener, batteries. Make sure you are up to date on insurance policies and review what is covered. Know your policy, deductibles, exclusions, and other information associated with filing claims. Take photos of your property before and after a disaster and document everything.
