Photo: Harrison Keely · CC BY 4.0For coastal flooding, Lewes’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewes gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #21 of 37 in Delaware. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 98 claims here since 1981.
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 stands out about Lewes’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lewes 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 Lewes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lewes, and Lewes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 17%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #21 of 37 in Delaware; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lewes’ 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, Lewes has more expected damage per building than 56% of Delaware towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Lewes: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lewes flood? Sometimes: 98 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lewes, from FEMA’s records: 32.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy36 claims · $380K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $3K
Lewes is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Sussex County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lewes
Disasters that paid out in Lewes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lewes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm$37K to the City of Lewes for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$21K to the City of Lewes for repairs36 flood claims paid for it, $380K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$3K to the City of Lewes for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$20K to the City of Lewes for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$10K to the City of Lewes for repairs
- 2003Snow$7K to the City of Lewes 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 Lewes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lewes archive →Get ready for what Lewes 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.
- Lewes residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lewes
Is Lewes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewes has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #21 of 37 in Delaware. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lewes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 98 claims in Lewes since 1981, $967K in all, or 32.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (36).
Is Lewes 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 Lewes?
Lewes is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lewes?
By FEMA money that reached Lewes, Severe Winter Storm (2026): $37K to the City of Lewes for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 36 paid, $380K.
Is Lewes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Lewes’ rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lewes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lewes’ 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.