Photo: Andrew Filer · CC BY-SA 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Des Lacs
Des Lacs isn’t graded for hazard risk: Des Lacs has 163 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.
What Des Lacs 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
Hail
Winter storms
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); winter storms is FEMA’s “Winter Weather” (snow, sleet and freezing rain). 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.
Does Des Lacs flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Des Lacs. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Des Lacs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ward County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Des Lacs
Disasters that paid out in Des Lacs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Des Lacs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$4K to the City of Des Lacs for repairs
- 2011Flooding16 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2010Flooding$2K to the City of Des Lacs for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$639 aid approved
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$3K to the City of Des Lacs for repairs
Ward County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Des Lacs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Des Lacs archive →Get ready for what Des Lacs 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.
- 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.
- Keep a shovel, a blanket and snacks in the car.
- Clear snow from furnace and dryer vents.
- Check on older neighbors when the power goes out.
- 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 Lacs
Is Des Lacs 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 Ward County, 4.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Des Lacs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Des Lacs’ 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 Lacs?
By FEMA money that reached Des Lacs, Flooding (2011): 16 households applied for aid, $27K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Des Lacs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Des Lacs’ 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.