FloodZoneMap.org

Coastal Flood — Delaware Beaches, DE

Jan 23, 2016

A prolonged onshore flow from a strong nor'easter produced record flooding during the morning high tide cycle on January 23rd. The NOAA NOS gage near the Atlantic Coast at Lewes rose above 7.0 ft MLLW at 0632EST, peaked at 9.27 ft MLLW at 0812EST, and dropped below 7.0 ft MLLW at 1125EST. 7.0 ft MLLW is considered the lower threshold for moderate flooding in that area. The previous record flood at this gage occurred on March 6, 1962 when the water level reached 9.2 ft MLLW. Moderate flooding occ

Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 610106). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.

Flood Risk Context for Delaware Beaches, DE

This event is one of many recorded floods in Delaware Beaches County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.

View Delaware Beaches County flood data →

More Flood Stories

Coastal Flood$700K damage

Inland Sussex, DE · Feb 4, 1998

The strongest northeaster of the winter battered Kent and Sussex Counties with damaging winds, severe coastal flooding, extensive beach erosion, several dune breaches and heavy rain. A state of emergency was declared for all or parts of Sussex County from 7 a.m.

Read the full account →
Flash Flood$150K damage

Sussex, DE · Sep 16, 1999

Hurricane Floyd battered Delaware (especially New Castle County) on September 16th and brought with it torrential rains and damaging winds. The hurricane caused widespread flash flooding as storm totals averaged around nine inches, most of which fell in a twelve hour period…

Read the full account →
Coastal Flood$40.0M damage

Delaware Beaches, DE · Nov 12, 2009

A powerful nor'easter produced wind gusts nearly as high as 60 mph, widespread moderate tidal flooding, heavy rain and severe beach erosion along the Delaware coast from November 12th through the 14th. Preliminary damage was estimated at 45 million dollars.

Read the full account →
Tropical Storm$8.0M damage

Inland Sussex, DE · Sep 18, 2003

Tropical Storm Isabel caused tidal flooding up Delaware Bay, heavy rain and strong power outage producing winds. Isabel made landfall as a hurricane near Drum Inlet, North Carolina around 100 p.m. EDT on the 18th and weakened as it tracked farther inland.

Read the full account →