Godwin School · Photo: Linda Roy Walls · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Millsboro’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 71% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Millsboro gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #14 of 37 in Delaware. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1991.
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 Millsboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Millsboro 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 Millsboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Millsboro, and Millsboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #14 of 37 in Delaware; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Millsboro’s residents live in 2 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, Millsboro has less expected damage per building than 64% of Delaware towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Millsboro: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Millsboro flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Millsboro, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy2 claims · $45K
Millsboro 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Millsboro
Disasters that paid out in Millsboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Millsboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$5K to the Town of Millsboro for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $45K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$5K to the Town of Millsboro for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$10K to the Town of Millsboro for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel10 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$3K to the Town of Millsboro for repairs
- 2003Snow$2K to the Town of Millsboro 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 Millsboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Millsboro archive →Get ready for what Millsboro 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 Millsboro
Is Millsboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Millsboro has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #14 of 37 in Delaware. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Millsboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Millsboro since 1991, $130K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (2).
Is Millsboro 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 Millsboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Millsboro’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 Millsboro?
By FEMA money that reached Millsboro, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 10 households applied for aid, $16K approved, and $3K to the Town of Millsboro for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 2 paid, $45K.
Is Millsboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Millsboro’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Millsboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Millsboro’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.