Kent County Disaster Risk
Kent County, Delaware
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
85th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#3
of 3 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
83th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 81% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Kent County, Delaware
Kent County's moderate risk picture
Kent County's composite risk score of 84.51 sits below the national average, earning it a "Relatively Moderate" rating for natural disaster exposure. This means residents face less overall hazard risk than the typical American county, though specific threats like hurricanes still demand attention.
The safest county in Delaware
Kent County ranks as Delaware's lowest-risk county, with a composite score of 84.51 compared to the state average of 91.32. While all Delaware counties face meaningful hazard exposure, Kent residents benefit from comparatively lower risk across most disaster types.
Standing apart from neighboring risk
Kent County's 84.51 score contrasts sharply with New Castle County (95.29) and Sussex County (94.15), making it significantly safer than both neighbors. The gap reflects Kent's lower flood, tornado, and hurricane risks—though it still deserves preparation for major storms.
Hurricanes and earthquakes lead threats
Hurricane risk dominates Kent County's hazard profile at 91.28, followed by earthquake risk at 80.66—both substantial scores that warrant serious preparedness. Flood risk (82.89) rounds out the top three concerns, making water and storm impacts the primary focus for county residents.
Insurance priorities for Kent County
Given Kent County's elevated hurricane and flood risks, homeowners should verify they have adequate wind and flood coverage—standard homeowners policies often exclude both. Consider supplemental flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program if your property sits in or near mapped flood zones.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Kent County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Kent County
Risk Verdict
Kent County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 85th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Kent County.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Kent County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (81th percentile), tornado (69th percentile), wildfire (65th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Kent County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 91th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Flood at the 83th percentile nationally is Kent County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Kent County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.
Regional Context
Compared to the Delaware county average, Kent County's composite score runs 6.8 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Kent County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Kent County, DE?
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How does Kent County risk compare to the Delaware average?
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Is Kent County a safe place to live?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.