Cloud-Reese House · Photo: Smallbones · CC0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Hockessin as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hockessin gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #31 of 37 in Delaware. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 2003.
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 Hockessin 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
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 Hockessin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hockessin, and Hockessin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #31 of 37 in Delaware; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hockessin’s residents live in 4 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, Hockessin has more expected damage per building than 83% of Delaware towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.5M a year in losses across Hockessin: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hockessin flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hockessin, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $28K
Hockessin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: New Castle County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Hockessin
Disasters that paid out in Hockessin itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hockessin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel21 households applied for aid$38K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
New Castle County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hockessin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hockessin archive →Hockessin and its neighbors
Hockessin is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Star | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pike Creek | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hockessin | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
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 Hockessin 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.
- 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 Hockessin
Is Hockessin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hockessin has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #31 of 37 in Delaware. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hockessin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Hockessin since 2003, $218K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Hockessin 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 New Castle County, 45% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hockessin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hockessin’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 Hockessin?
By FEMA money that reached Hockessin, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 21 households applied for aid, $38K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $28K.
Is Hockessin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Hockessin’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hockessin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hockessin’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.