Blades’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blades gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2006.
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 Blades 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
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Blades’ grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blades, and Blades’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Blades’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $391K a year in losses across Blades: $241K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Blades flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Blades, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $6K
Blades isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sussex County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Blades
Disasters that paid out in Blades itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Blades), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$3K to the Town of Blades for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$3K to the Town of Blades for repairs
- 2003Snow$875 to the Town of Blades for repairs
Sussex County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Blades after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Blades archive →Get ready for what Blades 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Blades
Is Blades at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blades has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and hurricanes (20%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Blades flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Blades since 2006, $17K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is Blades 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 Sussex County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 12.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Blades?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Blades’ 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 Blades?
By FEMA money that reached Blades, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $3K to the Town of Blades for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Blades at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Blades’ rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blades.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blades’ 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.