Delaware Flood Zones
Delaware faces significant coastal flood risk along its Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay shorelines. Low-lying topography makes much of the state vulnerable to storm surge, and sea level rise is increasing tidal flooding frequency in coastal communities.
1 of 3 Delaware counties are rated high or very high for inland flood risk by FEMA's National Risk Index. 10 communities participate in FEMA's Community Rating System, qualifying residents for flood insurance discounts of up to 15%.
FEMA Region
Region 3
Also covers District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, +2 more
NFIP Policies
19,000
Delaware Flood Risk Overview
County-level risk ratings from FEMA's National Risk Index across 3 Delaware counties.
Inland Flood Risk
1 of 3 counties rated high or very high
Coastal Flood Risk
2 of 3 coastal counties rated high or very high
Hurricane Risk
1 of 3 counties rated high or very high
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment.
Federal Flood Disaster History
Delaware has received 13 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, severe storms, and coastal storms.
2020s
2
2010s
4
2000s
3
1990s
3
1960s
1
Recent Declarations
Showing 8 most recent of 13 total declarations.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims
Delaware properties have filed 6,332 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $89.5M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $14K.
Claims by Decade
2020s
345
2010s
2,289
2000s
881
1990s
2,174
1980s
570
1970s
73
Highest-Claim Years
Claims by Flood Zone
Zone AE
2,882
Zone A
1,352
Zone X
988
Zone VE
527
Zone V
481
Zone AO
50
Zone D
24
Zone AOB
11
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced February 2026.
Flood Insurance Discounts in Delaware
10 Delaware communities participate in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), earning flood insurance premium discounts for residents in Special Flood Hazard Areas. CRS classes in Delaware range from 7 to 9, with discounts from 5% to 15%.
Newark,city Of
Class 7 - 15% discount
New Castle
Class 8 - 10% discount
Class 8 - 10% discount
Bethany Beach
Class 8 - 10% discount
Class 8 - 10% discount
Delaware City
Class 9 - 5% discount
Seaford
Class 9 - 5% discount
South Bethany
Class 9 - 5% discount
Dewey Beach
Class 9 - 5% discount
Fenwick Island
Class 9 - 5% discount
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Look Up Any Delaware Address
Enter a DE address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Free Flood Zone LookupDelaware Cities
Explore flood zone information for major cities in Delaware.
Delaware Flood Zone FAQ
How do I check if my Delaware property is in a flood zone?
Enter your DE address in FludZone's free lookup tool. We query FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer in real-time to show your flood zone designation, whether flood insurance is required, and your property's risk level.
Do I need flood insurance in Delaware?
If your Delaware property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), meaning zones starting with A or V, and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not subject to the federal mandate but lenders may still require coverage, and it is often recommended given Delaware's flood history.
What are the most common flood zones in Delaware?
The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Delaware are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone A, Zone X. Each zone reflects a different level of flood risk, from high-risk areas where flood insurance is generally required for federally regulated or government-backed mortgages to lower-risk areas where coverage is optional but recommended.
Can I remove my Delaware property from a flood zone?
Yes, if your Delaware property's natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in the SFHA, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) through FEMA. If your property was raised above the BFE with fill, the process is a LOMR-F. Note that for coastal properties in VE zones, LOMAs are less common because wave action creates risks beyond still-water elevation. A successful LOMA generally removes the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement, but your lender may still choose to require coverage. You'll need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor.
Do any Delaware communities offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes, 10 Delaware communities participate in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for exceeding minimum flood mitigation standards. Residents in participating communities can receive NFIP premium discounts of up to 15% in the Special Flood Hazard Area. Properties outside the SFHA also benefit: CRS classes 1 through 6 receive a 10% discount, and classes 7 through 9 receive a 5% discount on NFIP premiums. Check your city's page on FludZone to see if your community participates.
Sources
This page summarizes information from FEMA and other official resources in plain language. For full technical details, see the links below.
- FEMA National Flood Hazard LayerDirect Source
The NFHL is the source of all flood zone data shown on this page.
- FEMA Map Service Center — Search by AddressDirect Source
Look up any address to view FIRM panels, FIS reports, and LOMCs.
- NFHL Data and Map StatusTopic Page
View NFHL coverage and data freshness by state and community.
- FEMA National Risk Index — Data ResourcesDirect Source
County-level risk scores for inland flooding, coastal flooding, and hurricane used in the Flood Risk Profile.
- OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API v2Direct Source
Federal disaster declarations filtered for flood-related incident types (Flood, Hurricane, Severe Storm, Coastal Storm).
- OpenFEMA FIMA NFIP Claims API v2Direct Source
Historical NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, aggregated by county and state. Includes claim counts, payouts, and flood zone breakdowns.
Sources last verified: February 2026
Understanding Flood Zones
Learn more about the FEMA flood zone designations common in Delaware.