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FludZone

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Flood Zones

Rehoboth Beach is directly exposed to Atlantic Ocean storm surge and coastal erosion. This popular resort town has significant property at risk from nor'easters and hurricanes.

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 Moderate

Est. annual loss: $42.6M

Coastal Flood Risk

Very High

Est. annual loss: $14.2M

Hurricane Risk

Relatively High

Est. annual loss: $35.3M

Social Vulnerability: Relatively High
Community Resilience: Relatively Moderate

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.

2012Hurricane SandyHurricane
2011Hurricane IreneHurricane
2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationHurricane
2003Hurricane IsabelHurricane
1993Severe Coastal Storm & FloodingCoastal Storm
1992Severe Coastal StormFlood

...and 2 earlier declarations since 1992.

These declarations affected communities across Sussex County, including Rehoboth Beach.

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

Zone AE

2,060

Zone A

795

Zone VE

511

Zone V

442

Zone X

430

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced February 2026.

Common Flood Zones in Rehoboth Beach

Properties in Rehoboth Beach, DE are commonly designated in these FEMA flood zones:

What Your Flood Zone Means in Rehoboth Beach

Rehoboth Beach 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 Rehoboth Beach 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 Rehoboth Beach'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 Rehoboth Beach 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 Rehoboth Beach address.

Flood Insurance Discount: Rehoboth Beach

Rehoboth Beach 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 8

SFHA Premium Discount

10% off

CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Rehoboth Beach's Class 8 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 10% 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.

Check Your Rehoboth Beach Address

Enter any Rehoboth Beach, DE address to instantly see its FEMA flood zone, risk level, and whether flood insurance is required.

Free Flood Zone Lookup

Rehoboth Beach, DE Flood Zone FAQ

What flood zones are in Rehoboth Beach, DE?

The most common FEMA flood zones in Rehoboth Beach 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 Rehoboth Beach?

If your Rehoboth Beach 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 about 25% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.

How do I check my flood zone in Rehoboth Beach?

Enter your Rehoboth Beach 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 Rehoboth Beach offer flood insurance discounts?

Yes. Rehoboth Beach participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 8 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 10% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.

Has Rehoboth Beach experienced major flooding events?

Sussex County, where Rehoboth Beach 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 Rehoboth Beach?

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 Rehoboth Beach.

Sources

This page summarizes information from FEMA and other official resources in plain language. For full technical details, see the links below.

Sources last verified: February 2026

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