Wilmington, DE Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Wilmington faces flooding from the Christina River, Brandywine Creek, and tidal influences from the Delaware River. Low-lying areas along the riverfront and in South Wilmington are particularly vulnerable.
New Castle County has recorded 1,571 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $49.8M 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
2,948
New Castle County
Avg. Premium
$1,182/yr
New Castle County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: New Castle 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 HighEst. annual loss: $150.5M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $3.7M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $6.5M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: New Castle County
New Castle County has been included in 9 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 1 earlier declaration since 1999.
These declarations affected communities across New Castle County, including Wilmington.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: New Castle County
Properties in New Castle County have filed 1,571 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $49.8M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $32K.
Highest-Claim Years
2003
263 claims - $16.3M
1999
217 claims - $7.2M
2011
169 claims - $3.9M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: New Castle County
Only roughly 1 in 76 households in New Castle County carries NFIP flood insurance (1% of estimated households). With 227 recorded flood events and $28.5M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
1%
roughly 1 in 76 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 2
1,571 claims over 45+ years across 2,948 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$31,673
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, New Castle County has averaged 1 claim for every 2 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Wilmington.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Wilmington
Wilmington faces multiple inland flood threats, including riverine flooding from nearby waterways and flash flooding from intense rainfall overwhelming urban drainage systems. Properties near river corridors face the highest risk, but stormwater backup can affect neighborhoods well outside the mapped floodplain. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Wilmington are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $150.5M.
With both riverine and urban stormwater flood risk, insurance costs in Wilmington depend heavily on a property's elevation relative to nearby waterways and the local drainage infrastructure. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 prices in multiple inland flood sources rather than relying on the flood zone line alone. 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.
Flood zone boundaries in Wilmington can shift when FEMA updates its Flood Insurance Studies or when upstream development changes how water moves through the watershed. New stormwater infrastructure or dam modifications can also trigger map revisions. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Wilmington address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: New Castle County
New Castle County has 152 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 23 severe repetitive loss properties. 12 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
152
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
23
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
12
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: New Castle County
NOAA has recorded 227 flood events in New Castle County since 1996, causing $28.5M in damage and 4 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: New Castle County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 146 properties in New Castle County, investing $927K in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
Wilmington, DE Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Wilmington, DE?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Wilmington are 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 Wilmington?
If your Wilmington 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 Wilmington?
Enter your Wilmington 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.
How high is flood risk in Wilmington?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, New Castle County (where Wilmington is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $150.5M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has Wilmington experienced major flooding events?
New Castle County, where Wilmington is located, has been part of 9 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Wilmington?
New Castle County has recorded 1,571 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $49.8M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2003, with 263 claims and $16.3M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Wilmington.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Wilmington?
New Castle County currently has 2,948 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,182. The most policies are in Zone AE (1,897 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Wilmington properties have flooded repeatedly?
New Castle County has 152 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington?
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 Wilmington's 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
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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.