Enter any address in Kent County, Delaware to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding is the dominant flood character in Kent County, Delaware. Recent events include coastal flooding observed on June 3, 2023, and August 21, 2025, driven by weather patterns that created steady onshore winds and storm surge. These events resulted in moderate to locally major high tide levels along the coast.
Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 29 coastal flood events and 11 storm surge/tide events in Kent County. Other flood types, including flash floods and general floods, also occurred frequently. FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $10,100 and an average water depth of 3.1 feet. Residents in coastal areas, as well as those in Zone A and Zone V, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Kent County, Delaware has recorded 95 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 30 flash floods and 20 river or area floods. The county has received 16 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm Isaias | Hurricane | Aug 4, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Hurricane Isabel | Hurricane | Sep 18, 2003 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 14, 2003 |
| Blizzard Of 96 (severe Snow Storm) | Snowstorm | Jan 6, 1996 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Aug 21, 2025 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 12, 2025 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jun 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Apr 18, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 29, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 31, 2018 | 0.00K |
Coastal Flood — Aug 21, 2025
Storm surge from Hurricane Erin and an upcoming New Moon resulted in moderate to locally major high tide levels on the night of August 21, 2025 across coastal areas of Delaware.
Coastal Flood — Oct 12, 2025
A powerful coastal storm sat off the Delaware coast, with strong winds pushing water towards the shoreline and into the back bays of Delaware. Moderate to locally major high tide levels were observed over the southern half of the state. Tidal flooding continued over multiple high tide cycles.
Coastal Flood — Sep 23, 2023
Tropical Storm Ophelia drifted northward from eastern North Carolina into southeastern Virginia on the afternoon and early evening of September 23. Meanwhile, strong high pressure was centered in Quebec. The pattern resulted in a steady onshore flow along the coast of Delaware, causing widespread tidal flooding.
Coastal Flood — Jun 3, 2023
Low pressure centered well off the coast and strong high pressure building southward from eastern Canada resulted in the development of a steady onshore wind on June 3. The pattern brought widespread moderate tidal flooding to the Delaware coast around the evening high tide.
Coastal Flood — Apr 18, 2022
Strengthening low pressure moved slowly up the Middle Atlantic Coast from the 18th into the 19th. The resulting onshore flow caused moderate tidal flooding in parts of Delaware.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Kent County, Delaware:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Kent County, Delaware that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.