Photo: Iowahwyman · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in West Des Moines than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Des Moines gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #37 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 307 claims here since 1981.
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 West Des Moines’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West 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 West Des Moines’ grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Des Moines, and West Des Moines’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #37 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Des Moines’ residents live in 18 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, West Des Moines has less expected damage per building than 74% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.4M a year in losses across West Des Moines: $14.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Des Moines flood? Yes: 307 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Des Moines, from FEMA’s records: 9.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding161 claims · $2.0M
- The Storm3 claims · $62K
West Des Moines isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Des Moines
Disasters that paid out in West Des Moines itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Des Moines), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$239K to the City of West Des Moines for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms73 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$282K to the City of West Des Moines for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$48K to the City of West Des Moines for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$117K to the City of West Des Moines for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes32 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$269K to the City of West Des Moines for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding153 households applied for aid$112K aid approved$935K to the City of West Des Moines for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$103K to the City of West Des Moines for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$49K to the City of West Des Moines for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 23 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 West Des Moines after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Des Moines archive →West Des Moines and its neighbors
West 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Waukee | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Clive | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Windsor Heights | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Cumming | — | 545 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 West 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in West Des Moines
Is West Des Moines at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Des Moines has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #37 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Des Moines flood?
Flood insurance has paid 307 claims in West Des Moines since 1981, $4.0M in all, or 9.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (161).
Is West 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 West Des Moines?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Des Moines’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in West Des Moines?
By FEMA money that reached West Des Moines, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 153 households applied for aid, $112K approved, and $935K to the City of West Des Moines for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 161 paid, $2.0M.
Is West Des Moines at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and West Des Moines’ rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Des Moines.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West 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.