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FEMA flood zones · statewide

Delaware Flood Zone Map

6,332 flood insurance claims·$89.5M paid·25,001 policies in force

Coastal high risk (V, VE)FloodwayHigh risk (A, AE)Moderate (X, 500-year)Minimal (X)Undetermined (D)

Shaded areas are FEMA’s mapped flood hazard zones in and around Delaware. Zoomed out they are simplified; at street level the map switches to FEMA’s exact layer. Tap anywhere to check that spot, or search an address above.

Flood Risk in Delaware

Delaware experiences a mixed flood risk profile dominated by frequent flash floods and coastal flooding, alongside general floods, storm surges, tides, tropical storms, and hurricanes over the past 30 years.

This multi-hazard exposure brings coastal and inland threats, driven by major tropical systems and remnants of storms. Recent federal disaster declarations for the state include the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021, Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

The National Flood Insurance Program claim distribution shows that Zone A carries the heaviest burden by far, accounting for 4,301 claims and $69 million paid total, indicating that properties in high-risk special flood hazard areas require insurance most. Zones V and X also register significant claim volumes, with Zone X accumulating 631 claims totaling $7 million, demonstrating that surprise claims routinely happen outside of traditional high-risk coastal and riverine zones. Additional claims are spread across unshaded and shaded X zones, Zone D, and unknown categories, reinforcing that flood risk extends beyond primary designated zones.

Summary generated from FEMA disaster declarations, NOAA storm events, and NFIP claim data. Updated quarterly.

Delaware Flood Statistics

Total NFIP Claims
6,332
Total Claims Paid
$89.5M
Average Claim
$14,140
NFIP Policies in Force (Aug 31, 2026)
25,001
Average NFIP Premium (Aug 31, 2026)
$850/yr
Disaster Declarations
53
Peak Claims Year
2012 (1,558 claims)
Latest Disaster
REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA (2021-09-01)

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims, Policies, and Disaster Declarations data. NFIP policies in force and average premium (premium plus federal policy fee) as of August 31, 2026, from OpenFEMA.

Delaware Disaster History

Delaware has received 53 federal disaster declarations, including 4 flood and coastal storm declarations and 13 hurricane declarations.

Where Delaware’s flood claims are

  1. Sussex County4,307
  2. New Castle County1,575
  3. Kent County376

NFIP claims by county, 1978 to date. Source: OpenFEMA. Counties ranked by recorded flood events →

The zones you’ll see on the map

Cross-section of a coastal flood zoneDiagram: land rising away from the shore. The 1%-annual-chance flood surface reaches inland; where storm waves ride on top of it the zone is V or VE, behind that AE, then a band of shaded X, then X on higher ground.0.2% CHANCE A YEAR (500-YEAR)BASE FLOOD ELEVATION · 1% A YEARXX shadedAEVE
  1. VE / V Storm waves of 3 feet or more ride on top of the flood. Strictest building rules; homes go up on pilings.
  2. A / AE Inside the 1%-a-year floodplain: about a 26% chance of flooding over a 30-year mortgage. AE has a mapped base flood elevation; plain A does not.
  3. X shaded The 0.2% (500-year) floodplain, plus some levee-protected and very shallow flood areas.
  4. X Outside both lines. No federal requirement to insure, which is not the same as no risk.

Every flood zone code explained →

Flood Insurance in Delaware

Properties in Delaware FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Delaware had 25,001 NFIP policies in force on August 31, 2026, and the average NFIP premium was $850 a year (premium plus the federal policy fee; the reserve fund assessment and HFIAA surcharge come on top, and nationally they make actual bills about a quarter higher). Under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 each building is priced on its own flood risk, so a state average says little about what any one home will pay.

Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from properties outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Delaware residents can purchase flood insurance through the NFIP or private insurers.

Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.

See the most flood-prone counties in Delaware →

Delaware Counties (3)

Select a county to view local flood zone data and disaster history:

Delaware Cities (21)

Select a city to check flood zone information: