Storms, floods and disasters in De Soto
De Soto isn’t graded for hazard risk: De Soto has 503 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
What De Soto 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
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.
Does De Soto flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in De Soto, from FEMA’s records.
De Soto isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Vernon County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to De Soto
Disasters that paid out in De Soto itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of De Soto), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$42K to the Village of De Soto for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$55K to the Village of De Soto for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding45 households applied for aid$101K aid approved$6K to the Village of De Soto for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding76 households applied for aid$189K aid approved$30K to the Village of De Soto for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K to the Village of De Soto for repairs
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$9K to the Village of De Soto for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$15K to the Village of De Soto for repairs
Vernon County has had 20 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 De Soto after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the De Soto archive →De Soto and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 De Soto 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.
- 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 De Soto
Does De Soto flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in De Soto since 2016, $8K in all.
Is De Soto 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 Vernon County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in De Soto?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for De Soto’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 De Soto?
By FEMA money that reached De Soto, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 76 households applied for aid, $189K approved, and $30K to the Village of De Soto for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in De Soto.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where De Soto’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.