Fenwick Island, Delaware Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Fenwick Island is a narrow barrier island community at Delaware's southern Atlantic coast border in Sussex County. The town is extremely vulnerable to ocean storm surge and wave action, with VE zones along the beachfront and AE zones extending through the island's interior.
Sussex County has recorded 4,305 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $35.5M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 3
NFIP Policies
25,400
Sussex County
Avg. Premium
$712/yr
Sussex County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Sussex County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $42.6M
Coastal Flood Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $14.2M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $35.3M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Sussex County
Sussex County has been included in 8 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 2 earlier declarations since 1992.
These declarations affected communities across Sussex County, including Fenwick Island.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Sussex County
Properties in Sussex County have filed 4,305 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $35.5M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $8K.
Highest-Claim Years
2012
1,486 claims - $17.3M
1998
756 claims - $6.0M
1992
672 claims - $5.0M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Sussex County
An estimated 27% of households in Sussex County carry NFIP flood insurance.
Penetration Rate
27%
Claims Ratio
1 in 6
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$8,237
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Sussex County
Sussex County has 307 properties with multiple flood losses, including 23 severe repetitive loss properties. 2 properties have been mitigated.
Multiple Loss
307
Severe Rep. Loss
23
Mitigated
2
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: SUSSEX County
NOAA has recorded 100 flood events in SUSSEX County since 1996, causing $2.9M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Sussex County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 83 properties in Sussex County, investing $0 in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Fenwick Island
Fenwick Island is primarily at risk from coastal flooding, including hurricane storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action. Coastal storms can push seawater inland with little warning, and properties in VE (Velocity) zones face the most severe exposure to breaking waves. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Fenwick Island are Zone VE, Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $42.6M. The county is rated "Very High" for coastal flood risk by FEMA's National Risk Index. Properties in Fenwick Island's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Coastal flood insurance premiums in Fenwick Island are typically higher than inland areas due to the destructive force of storm surge and wave action. Properties in VE zones face the highest premiums because wave damage compounds the risk beyond still-water flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Coastal flood maps are among the most frequently updated in the FEMA system, as shoreline erosion and new storm surge modeling refine the boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) may shift VE and AE zone boundaries after major storms or updated coastal studies. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Fenwick Island address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Fenwick Island
Fenwick Island participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 9
SFHA Premium Discount
5% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Fenwick Island's Class 9 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 5% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Fenwick Island, DE Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Fenwick Island, DE?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Fenwick Island are Zone VE, Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Fenwick Island?
If your Fenwick Island property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) 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 federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Fenwick Island?
Enter your Fenwick Island address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Fenwick Island offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Fenwick Island participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 9 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 5% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Fenwick Island experienced major flooding events?
Sussex County, where Fenwick Island is located, has been part of 8 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Fenwick Island?
Sussex County has recorded 4,305 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $35.5M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2012, with 1,486 claims and $17.3M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Fenwick Island.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Fenwick Island?
Sussex County currently has 25,400 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $712. The most policies are in Zone AE (15,130 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Fenwick Island properties have flooded repeatedly?
Sussex County has 307 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 23 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Fenwick Island property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Fenwick Island?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Fenwick Island's Zone VE and Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Delaware Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any Fenwick Island, DE Address
Enter a Fenwick Island, DE address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.