FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in DeSoto than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, DeSoto gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #465 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hail (19%). Flood insurance has paid 108 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 stands out about DeSoto’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What DeSoto 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 DeSoto’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in DeSoto, and DeSoto’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 19%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #465 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
DeSoto’s residents live in 15 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, DeSoto has more expected damage per building than 72% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.7M a year in losses across DeSoto: $13.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does DeSoto flood? Yes: 108 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in DeSoto, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $17K
- The Dallas Flash Floods1 claim · $621
- The Spring severe storms1 claim · $5K
DeSoto isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to DeSoto
Disasters that paid out in DeSoto itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of DeSoto), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding602 households applied for aid$437K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms1,730 households applied for aid$783K aid approved$57K to the City of DeSoto for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$928K to the City of DeSoto for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding31 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$729K to the City of DeSoto for repairs
Dallas County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of DeSoto after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the DeSoto archive →DeSoto and its neighbors
DeSoto is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Hill | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Glenn Heights | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Dallas | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
| Lancaster | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 117 |
| Duncanville | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| DeSoto | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
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 DeSoto 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 DeSoto
Is DeSoto at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, DeSoto has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #465 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hail (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does DeSoto flood?
Flood insurance has paid 108 claims in DeSoto since 1979, $3.8M in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is DeSoto 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 Dallas County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in DeSoto?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for DeSoto’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 DeSoto?
By FEMA money that reached DeSoto, Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): $928K to the City of DeSoto for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $17K.
Is DeSoto at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and DeSoto’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in DeSoto.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where DeSoto’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.