Climate Risk Summary

Zip Code 50265, Risk Profile

The primary drivers of climate-related financial risk in West Des Moines, IA (50265) are Inland Flooding, Tornado, and Strong Wind. This area also faces an unusually high intensity for Hail compared to national averages.

Understanding the Dollars

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) is a statistical average of property damage for this entire zip code over a standard year across all properties.

  • / It represents the "average cost" rather than a guaranteed yearly bill.
  • / It can be used to compare the relative risk from different hazards and across different neighborhoods.

Primary Risks

Inland Flooding

$4,974,105

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 50265

57.8Score

Relatively High compared to US average

50265
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Tornado

$2,089,006

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 50265

83.3Score

Very High compared to US average

50265
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Strong Wind

$748,107

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 50265

90.1Score

Very High compared to US average

50265
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Zip Code Risk Map

Legend
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Extreme

Financial Risk Inventory

MAJOR DRIVER
Inland Flooding
$4,974,105
Score: 57.8
MAJOR DRIVER
Tornado
$2,089,006
Score: 83.3
MAJOR DRIVER
Strong Wind
$748,107
Score: 90.1
Heat Wave
$706,858
Score: 77.5
Cold Wave
$626,476
Score: 64.0
UNUSUALLY HIGH
Hail
$493,849
Score: 86.5
Ice Storm
$84,071
Score: 71.9
Lightning
$54,111
Score: 39.4
Winter Weather
$33,484
Score: 64.5
Earthquake
$31,299
Score: 16.3
Drought
$23,369
Score: 29.8
Wildfire
$6,163
Score: 54.5
Hurricane
$891
Score: 21.1
Landslide
$629
Score: 61.0

Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Recommended investments to protect your property value and reduce insurance liability based on your local risk profile.

💧Medium Investment

Inland Flooding Mitigation

Install a smart sump pump with battery backup and extend downspouts 10ft from foundation.

Risk Score: 57.8
🌪️High Investment

Tornado Mitigation

Reinforce garage doors and consider a FEMA-approved safe room or storm cellar.

Risk Score: 83.3
💨Low Investment

Strong Wind Mitigation

Trim large trees back from the roofline and reinforce roof-to-wall connectors (hurricane straps).

Risk Score: 90.1
🧊Medium Investment

Hail Mitigation

Replace roof with Class 4 impact-resistant shingles to significantly lower insurance premiums.

Risk Score: 86.5

Methodology and Sources

Spatial Aggregation

Our "Atlas" risk scores are derived using a population-weighted spatial join. Because US Zip Codes and Census Tracts do not share perfectly aligned boundaries, a simple geographic average would be misleading. We utilize US Census Block Group population statistics to identify where residents actually live within a Zip Code. We then intersect these points with FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) hazard data to calculate a weighted exposure score.

Financial Projections (EAL)

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) estimates the average economic impact of natural hazards in dollars per year. This calculation incorporates three components: Exposure (the value of structures and agriculture), Annualized Frequency (historical probability), and Historic Loss Ratio (vulnerability of the area).

Primary Data Sources

  • FEMA National Risk IndexHazard frequency and loss data (v1.20.0)
  • U.S. Census BureauTIGER/Line 2025 Shapefiles & Decennial Population

Nearby Locations

Zip Code 50061Zip Code 50266Zip Code 50321Zip Code 50312Zip Code 50324Zip Code 50325