Photo: Photolitherland Chris Litherland · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Dover’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dover gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then ice storms (10%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2011.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Dover faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Ice storms
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Dover’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dover, and Dover’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dover’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $603K a year in losses across Dover: $326K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dover flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dover, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Dover isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pope County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dover
Disasters that paid out in Dover itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dover), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Pope County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Dover after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dover archive →Get ready for what Dover faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Dover
Is Dover at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dover has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and ice storms (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dover flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Dover since 2011, $4K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Dover in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Pope County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dover?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dover’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Dover?
By FEMA money that reached Dover, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 13 households applied for aid, $29K approved.
Is Dover at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Dover’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dover.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dover’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.