riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Sussex County Disaster Risk

Sussex County, Delaware

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

94th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#2

of 3 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

98th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Sussex County, Delaware

Sussex County faces elevated risk

Sussex County's composite risk score of 94.15 exceeds the national average, reflecting a "Relatively Moderate" rating for natural disaster exposure. The county ranks among higher-risk American counties, primarily due to exceptional hurricane and flood vulnerabilities.

Second-riskiest in Delaware

Sussex County ranks second among Delaware's three counties with a composite score of 94.15, slightly trailing New Castle County (95.29) but well above Kent County (84.51). The county's 97.20 hurricane risk and 97.60 flood risk both significantly exceed the state average of 91.32.

Higher risk than most neighbors

Sussex County's 94.15 score exceeds Kent County's 84.51 by a substantial margin, making it noticeably riskier than Delaware's safest county. Though slightly safer than New Castle County (95.29), Sussex remains among the state's most hazard-exposed areas, particularly for water-related disasters.

Hurricanes and floods dominate Sussex

Hurricane risk (97.20) and flood risk (97.60) are Sussex County's defining hazards—both among the nation's highest for these specific threats. Wildfire risk (84.80) also ranks notably elevated, making wind, water, and fire the primary disaster concerns for county residents.

Flood and wind coverage critical

Sussex County residents must secure flood insurance given the 97.60 risk score—standard homeowners policies explicitly exclude flood damage. Ensure your homeowners policy provides robust wind coverage for hurricanes, and verify your coverage limits are adequate for today's replacement costs.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sussex County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    98th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    97th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    85th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Sussex County

Risk Verdict

Sussex County's overall risk score at the 94th percentile nationally signals meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazard types. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Sussex County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 97th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (85th percentile), earthquake (81th percentile), tornado (63th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Sussex County sits at the 98th percentile nationally for flood exposure. Knowing your property's flood zone designation — available at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center — is the first step toward understanding actual exposure and insurance options. Alongside flooding, hurricane exposure at the 97th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. Regardless of specific hazard, Sussex County households benefit from a practiced communication plan: a designated out-of-state contact and a pre-agreed evacuation destination established before the season's peak risk period.

Regional Context

The county's composite score diverges by only 2.8 points from the Delaware average, making Sussex County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Sussex County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Sussex County, DE?
Sussex County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 94th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Sussex County?
Sussex County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (98th percentile), hurricane (97th percentile), wildfire (85th percentile), earthquake (81th percentile), tornado (63th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 98th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Sussex County risk compare to the Delaware average?
Sussex County's composite risk percentile is 94th, compared to the Delaware state average of 91th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Sussex County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Delaware.
Is Sussex County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Sussex County's flooding risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Sussex County higher risk than average?
Sussex County's composite risk score of 94th percentile is above the Delaware state average of 91th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (98th percentile), along with hurricane and wildfire and earthquake and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

New Castle County

Delaware

+1.1

Relatively High

95th percentile

Kent County

Delaware

-9.6

Relatively Moderate

85th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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.

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