Photo: Onegentlemanofverona · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Des Peres than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Des Peres gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #138 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then earthquakes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1979.
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 Des Peres 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
Earthquakes
Hail
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 Peres’ grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Des Peres, and Des Peres’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #138 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Des Peres’ residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Des Peres has more expected damage per building than 56% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.1M a year in losses across Des Peres: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Des Peres flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Des Peres, 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 Flooding1 claim · $4K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $19K
Des Peres isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Louis County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Des Peres
Disasters that paid out in Des Peres itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Des Peres), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$35K to the City of Des Peres for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$24K to the City of Des Peres for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms$18K to the City of Des Peres for repairs
St. Louis County has had 30 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 Peres after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Des Peres archive →Des Peres and its neighbors
Des Peres is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town and Country | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Kirkwood | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
| Des Peres | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Frontenac | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
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 Peres 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Des Peres
Is Des Peres at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Des Peres has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #138 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and earthquakes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Des Peres flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Des Peres since 1979, $204K in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Des Peres 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 St. Louis County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Des Peres?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Des Peres’ 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 Des Peres?
By FEMA money that reached Des Peres, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2007): $35K to the City of Des Peres for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Des Peres at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Des Peres’ rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Des Peres.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Des Peres’ 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.