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De Soto, MissouriPhoto: Paul Sableman · CC BY 2.0
C−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in De Soto · FEMA

On FEMA’s figures, De Soto faces more hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, De Soto gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #197 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 71 claims here since 1983.

River and rain flooding 66%Earthquakes 17%Tornadoes 7%

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

more than 80%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#197 of 247 in Missouri
Hazard risk
C−#197 of 247
in Missouri · higher than 80% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
66% of expected building damage
Flood claims
71
paid since 1983 · $1.5M
Flooded more than once
10
properties
Disasters paid out here
11
of 26 declared for Jefferson County

What stands out about De Soto’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Moved out of harm’s way5 flood-prone properties bought out and cleared with FEMA grants.Remembers 201328 flood claims were paid for 2013 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What De Soto 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

66%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 2 times a year in the area

Earthquakes

17%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts

Tornadoes

7%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts

Strong wind

5%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 5 times a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Hail Ice storms Winter storms Wildfire Lightning Hurricanes Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind De Soto’s grade

River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in De Soto, and De Soto’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.

Where De Soto sits
De Soto
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C− #197 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).

De Soto’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding66%Earthquakes17%Tornadoes7%Everything else10%

The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, De Soto has more expected damage per building than 80% of Missouri towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across De Soto: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. De Soto covers 3 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does De Soto flood? Sometimes: 71 flood claims since 1983

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in De Soto, from FEMA’s records: 25.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1983: 2 claims1984: 0 claims1985: 2 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 1 claim1994: 0 claims1995: 1 claim1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 2 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 19 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 1 claim2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 28 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 14 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 1 claim2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims200320132016
19832026
71
paid claims since 1983
$1.5M
paid to owners
10
homes flooded more than once
$22K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

De Soto isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Jefferson County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
5flood-prone properties bought out and cleared
Disasters

11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to De Soto

Disasters that paid out in De Soto itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of De Soto), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires5 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
  2. 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding10 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
  3. 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
  4. 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$8K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
  5. 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
  6. 2008Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$61K to the City of De Soto for repairs
Show all 11
  1. 2006Severe Storms$13K to the City of De Soto for repairs
  2. 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
  3. 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding4 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
  4. 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,362 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$370K to the City of De Soto for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
  5. 2000Severe Thunderstorms and Flash Flooding$15K to the City of De Soto for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in De SotoJefferson County only

Jefferson County has had 26 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.

Were you here?

Old photos of De Soto after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the De Soto archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what De Soto faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Earthquakes
  • Drop, cover and hold on.
  • Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
  • Know how to shut off the gas.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
High winds
  • Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
  • Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
  • Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in De Soto

Is De Soto at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, De Soto has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #197 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does De Soto flood?

Flood insurance has paid 71 claims in De Soto since 1983, $1.5M in all, or 25.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once.

Is De Soto 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 Jefferson County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in De Soto?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for De Soto’s 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 De Soto?

By FEMA money that reached De Soto, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 1,362 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $370K to the City of De Soto for repairs.

Is De Soto at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and De Soto’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in De Soto.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where De Soto’s 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.