Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Officer Training School · Photo: Larry Day, Photographer · Public domainFEMA puts Des Moines’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Des Moines gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #17 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 707 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Des Moines’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Des Moines faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Strong wind
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Des Moines’ grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Des Moines, and Des Moines’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #17 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Des Moines’ residents live in 65 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Des Moines has less expected damage per building than 88% of Iowa towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Des Moines has lower expected damage per building than 91% (#35 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $52.5M, is the 232th largest of those 400.
Does Des Moines flood? Yes: 707 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Des Moines, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding166 claims · $5.6M
- The Storm34 claims · $1.1M
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding3 claims · $209K
Des Moines is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Polk County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Des Moines
Disasters that paid out in Des Moines itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Des Moines), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding237 households applied for aid$335K aid approved$658K to the City of Des Moines for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Tornadoes68 households applied for aid$126K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms1,257 households applied for aid$528K aid approved$3.8M to the City of Des Moines for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$629K to the City of Des Moines for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$787K to the City of Des Moines for repairs57 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes3,021 households applied for aid$7.0M aid approved$1.7M to the City of Des Moines for repairs96 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3,566 households applied for aid$5.2M aid approved$4.9M to the City of Des Moines for repairs85 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$252K to the City of Des Moines for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$9K to the City of Des Moines for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding118 households applied for aid$177K aid approved$249K to the City of Des Moines for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
Polk County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Des Moines after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Des Moines archive →Des Moines and its neighbors
Des Moines is 3rd of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Hill | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Norwalk | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Des Moines | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 707 |
| West Des Moines | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 307 |
| Urbandale | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Windsor Heights | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Des Moines faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Des Moines residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Des Moines
Is Des Moines at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Des Moines has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #17 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Des Moines flood?
Flood insurance has paid 707 claims in Des Moines since 1978, $26.1M in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 33 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (166).
Is Des Moines in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Polk County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Des Moines?
Des Moines is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Des Moines?
By FEMA money that reached Des Moines, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 3,566 households applied for aid, $5.2M approved, and $4.9M to the City of Des Moines for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 166 paid, $5.6M.
Is Des Moines at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Des Moines’ rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Des Moines.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Des Moines’ residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.