Photo: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Milford than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milford gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #16 of 37 in Delaware. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1980.
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 Milford’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Milford 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 Milford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milford, and Milford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 11%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #16 of 37 in Delaware; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Milford’s residents live in 5 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, Milford has less expected damage per building than 58% of Delaware towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Milford: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milford flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milford, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $230K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $8K
Milford 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Milford
Disasters that paid out in Milford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Milford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel5 households applied for aid$959 aid approved
Its 2 counties have had 16 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 Milford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milford archive →Get ready for what Milford 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 Milford
Is Milford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milford has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #16 of 37 in Delaware. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Milford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Milford since 1980, $759K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Milford 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 Milford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milford’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 Milford?
By FEMA money that reached Milford, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 5 households applied for aid, $959 approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $230K.
Is Milford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Milford’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milford’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.