Photo: Paul Sableman from St. Louis, MO · CC BY 2.0For strong wind, Desloge’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Desloge gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #107 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1999.
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 Desloge 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
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 Desloge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Desloge, and Desloge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #107 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Desloge’s residents live in 2 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, Desloge has less expected damage per building than 57% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Desloge: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Desloge flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Desloge, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Desloge 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. Francois County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Desloge
Disasters that paid out in Desloge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Desloge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$23K to the City of Desloge for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K to the City of Desloge for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
St. Francois County has had 17 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 Desloge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Desloge archive →Desloge and its neighbors
Desloge has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desloge | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Park Hills | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
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 Desloge 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.
- 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 Desloge
Is Desloge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Desloge has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #107 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Desloge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Desloge since 1999, $152 in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Desloge 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. Francois County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Desloge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Desloge’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 Desloge?
By FEMA money that reached Desloge, Severe Winter Storms (2006): $23K to the City of Desloge for repairs.
Is Desloge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Desloge’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Desloge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Desloge’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.