Photo: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Clayton than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clayton gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #23 of 37 in Delaware. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (19%). 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 Clayton 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 Clayton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clayton, and Clayton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 19% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B #23 of 37 in Delaware; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clayton’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Delaware town has lower expected damage than 65% of U.S. towns; within the state, Clayton has more expected damage per building than 61% of Delaware towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Clayton: $959K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clayton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clayton, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $7K
Clayton 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clayton
Disasters that paid out in Clayton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Clayton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$7K to the Town of Clayton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$7K to the Town of Clayton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$14K to the Town of Clayton for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel4 households applied for aid$735 aid approved$4K to the Town of Clayton for repairs
- 2003Snow$14K to the Town of Clayton for repairs
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 Clayton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clayton archive →Clayton and its neighbors
Clayton is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smyrna | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Clayton | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Clayton 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 Clayton
Is Clayton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clayton has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #23 of 37 in Delaware. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clayton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Clayton since 2011, $7K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Clayton 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 Clayton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clayton’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 Clayton?
By FEMA money that reached Clayton, Snow (2003): $14K to the Town of Clayton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Clayton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Clayton’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clayton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clayton’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.