Des Moines incorporated in 1959 as suburban growth outran county services, and it later took in the old farming community of Zenith. Today its roughly 13,200 housing units spread from the Pacific Highway corridor down through Zenith, Woodmont and Redondo to the waterfront, with Sea-Tac airport about two miles to the north.
Fire & Water Energy is a phone-based referral service; it has no restoration crews of its own. If you dial (866) 937-3230, we will try to line you up with an independent restoration contractor working in Des Moines, subject to which firms are taking calls in south King County. Background on the arrangement sits on how it works and our referral disclosure.
Waterfront slopes, creek ravines and a long storm record
Most of the city falls gently toward the Sound, from around 400 feet near Pacific Highway to sea level at the marina, but two creek ravines slice steeply through it. Saltwater State Park occupies one of those ravines between Zenith and Woodmont, and it was near the park that an F3 tornado touched down on December 12, 1969, injuring one person.
Since 2000, FEMA has issued a dozen major disaster declarations that took in King County. Most involved winter storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides, including events in 2006 (DR-1671), 2007 (DR-1682 and DR-1734), 2009 (DR-1817 and the record-snow DR-1825), 2011 (DR-1963), 2012 (DR-4056), 2017 (DR-4309) and 2020 (DR-4539). More recent declarations covered severe winter storms with straight-line winds in 2024 (DR-4775) and severe storms with flooding in 2026 (DR-4906).
Water damage restoration in Des Moines houses and condos
On a hillside city, gravity decides where water ends up. Runoff from uphill lots and driveways can pool against foundations, and a crawlspace or daylight basement on the downhill side often takes the hit. Inside, the usual suspects are supply lines, water heaters, toilets and washing machines, plus roof and window leaks during winter wind-driven rain. Stacked condos near the waterfront add the risk of a leak from the unit above.
A restoration contractor typically isolates the source, extracts water, maps wet areas with meters and thermal tools, and dries with dehumidification. When readings are normal, water damage repair restores finishes. See also water extraction and ceiling water damage repair.
Federal disaster declarations that included King County
FEMA records show King County was included in 12 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (8 severe storm, 4 flood, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Des Moines was affected. The most recent:
- 2026 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4906)
- 2024 – Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4775)
- 2020 – Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4539)
- 2017 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides (DR-4309)
- 2012 – Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4056)
- 2011 – Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-1963)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Des Moines?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Des Moines property.
Smoke and soot after a fire
In attached housing, a fire in one unit can push smoke through attics, shared walls and hallways, leaving soot and odor in homes that never saw flames. Synthetic furnishings produce oily residue that smears if wiped with the wrong product, which is one reason professional cleaning methods matter.
Most fire restoration jobs involve boarding up, removing charred materials, cleaning or replacing soot-covered surfaces, deodorizing with filtration and drying water left from suppression. Two related guides, on fire damage restoration and on soot removal, describe each stage.
Windstorms, slides and storm water near the Sound
Ten of the twelve King County declarations since 2000 mention landslides or mudslides alongside flooding, and the steep ravine edges in this city are the kind of terrain where saturated soil can move. Winter storms that bring straight-line winds also drop trees and tear roofing, opening a path for rain into attics and ceilings.
Storm cleanup generally begins with emergency tarping or board-up, then removal of wet insulation and drywall and controlled drying. Rain or runoff that entered from the yard counts as dirty water, which changes what can be saved. More on storm water damage restoration and storm damage cleanup.
Keeping mold out of damp walls and crawlspaces
After one of the winter storms in the county's disaster record, a soaked wall or subfloor near the Sound rarely dries on its own; it needs active air movement and dehumidification. Look for musty smells in crawlspaces, staining on attic sheathing, and spots behind furniture on exterior walls.
EPA guidance says an area under roughly 10 square feet can usually be cleaned by the resident once the water source is fixed. Anything larger, hidden in wall cavities or ducts, or connected to sewage or floodwater should go to a remediation professional using containment and HEPA filtration. Our mold removal page has more.
Practical first steps for Des Moines residents
- Call 911 for fire, injuries, a gas smell or wires down, and leave if the building seems unsafe.
- Close the main water valve for a burst line; in a condo, alert building management and neighbors below.
- Stay off unstable slopes and ravine edges after heavy rain.
- Take dated photos of each damaged area and keep receipts for emergency purchases. Coverage hinges on your own policy terms, so ask your insurer or agent.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Des Moines that callers often mention include:
- Zenith
- Woodmont
- Redondo
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Des Moines):
Des Moines restoration FAQs
Are homes near the Des Moines ravines at more risk after heavy rain?
Steep ground along Des Moines Creek, Massey Creek and Saltwater State Park drains a lot of water, and King County's disaster declarations repeatedly list landslides and mudslides. Watch for new cracks, leaning trees or soil movement, and keep drainage clear.
Has a tornado ever hit Des Moines?
Yes. An F3 tornado struck near Saltwater State Park on December 12, 1969, injuring one person. Tornadoes are rare here; winter windstorms are a far more common source of roof and tree damage.
Water is coming through my condo ceiling from upstairs. What now?
Shut off power to fixtures in the wet area, catch what you can, and notify the upstairs owner and your HOA or manager. Photograph everything. You can call (866) 937-3230 to look for an independent contractor while the association sorts out responsibility.
How often has King County had federal disaster declarations?
FEMA data shows 12 major disaster declarations that included King County since 2000, mostly for winter storms, flooding and landslides, with the latest in 2024 and 2026.
Restoration guides
- Water Damage Restoration
- Storm Water Damage Restoration
- Ceiling Water Damage Repair
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Mold Removal
- Water Extraction