Hoffecker-Lockwood House · Photo: Cortlandt Van Dyke Hubbard, Photographer · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Cheswold faces less hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cheswold gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #13 of 37 in Delaware. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2022.
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 Cheswold 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
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 Cheswold’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cheswold, and Cheswold’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 21% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #13 of 37 in Delaware; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cheswold’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Delaware town has lower expected damage than 65% of U.S. towns; within the state, Cheswold has less expected damage per building than 67% of Delaware towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $468K a year in losses across Cheswold: $281K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cheswold flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2022
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cheswold, 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.
Cheswold isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kent County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Cheswold
Disasters that paid out in Cheswold itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cheswold), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Kent County has had 12 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 Cheswold after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cheswold archive →Get ready for what Cheswold 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.
- 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 Cheswold
Is Cheswold at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cheswold has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #13 of 37 in Delaware. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (21%). 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 Cheswold flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Cheswold since 2022, $12K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cheswold 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 Kent County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cheswold?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cheswold’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 Cheswold?
By FEMA money that reached Cheswold, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 1 households applied for aid, $3K approved.
Is Cheswold at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Cheswold’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cheswold.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cheswold’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.