Photo: Ataraxy22 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts New Castle’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Castle gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #4 of 37 in Delaware. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then coastal flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 32 claims here since 1978.
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 New Castle’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New Castle 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
Coastal flooding
Earthquakes
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 New Castle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Castle, and New Castle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 13%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A #4 of 37 in Delaware; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Castle’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, New Castle has less expected damage per building than 92% of Delaware towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across New Castle: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Castle flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Castle, from FEMA’s records: 11.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy6 claims · $42K
- Hurricane Floyd4 claims · $7K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $67K
New Castle is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: New Castle County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Castle
Disasters that paid out in New Castle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Castle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$12K to the City of New Castle for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel17 households applied for aid$15K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$8K to the City of New Castle for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $7K
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 New Castle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Castle archive →New Castle and its neighbors
New Castle 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington Manor | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| New Castle | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
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 New Castle 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- New Castle residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in New Castle
Is New Castle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Castle has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #4 of 37 in Delaware. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and coastal flooding (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Castle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in New Castle since 1978, $430K in all, or 11.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (6).
Is New Castle 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 New Castle?
New Castle is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 New Castle?
By FEMA money that reached New Castle, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 17 households applied for aid, $15K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 6 paid, $42K.
Is New Castle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and New Castle’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Castle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Castle’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.