More hazard damage per building is expected in Des Moines than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Des Moines gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #176 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (77%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1990.
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 Moines faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Moines’ grade
Earthquakes are 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Des Moines, and Des Moines’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 22% (lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #176 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Des Moines’ residents live in 9 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Washington town has higher expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Des Moines has more expected damage per building than 62% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.5M a year in losses across Des Moines: $11.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Des Moines flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Des Moines, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Des Moines isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: King County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Des Moines
Disasters that paid out in Des Moines itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Des Moines), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$790 aid approved
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$22K to the City of Des Moines for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$53K to the City of Des Moines for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$46K aid approved$372K to the City of Des Moines for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$13K to the City of Des Moines for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$38K to the City of Des Moines for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides12 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$122K to the City of Des Moines for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Earthquake$27K to the City of Des Moines for repairs
King County has had 30 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in King County, 2022–2022.
Old photos of Des Moines after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Des Moines archive →Des Moines and its neighbors
Des Moines is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Way | Cmore damage than 71% | earthquakes | 10 |
| Normandy Park | C−more damage than 76% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Des Moines | C−more damage than 81% | earthquakes | 12 |
| Burien | Dmore damage than 85% | earthquakes | 12 |
| Kent | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 24 |
| SeaTac | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 1 |
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 Moines faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Moines
Is Des Moines at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Des Moines has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #176 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (77%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Des Moines flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Des Moines since 1990, $417K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Des Moines 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 King County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Des Moines?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Des Moines’ 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 Moines?
By FEMA money that reached Des Moines, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding (2009): 7 households applied for aid, $46K approved, and $372K to the City of Des Moines for repairs.
Is Des Moines at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Des Moines’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Des Moines.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Des Moines’ 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.