Charles and Edith Liedlich House · Photo: Choess · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Newark faces more hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newark gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 47 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 Newark’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Newark 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 Newark’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newark, and Newark’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C #36 of 37 in Delaware; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newark’s residents live in 12 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, Newark has more expected damage per building than 97% of Delaware towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.5M a year in losses across Newark: $11.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newark flood? Sometimes: 47 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newark, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd15 claims · $666K
- Hurricane Irene7 claims · $808K
Newark is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: New Castle County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newark
Disasters that paid out in Newark itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Newark), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$50K to the City of Newark for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$106K to the City of Newark for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$73K to the City of Newark for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $808K
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$120K to the City of Newark for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding From the Remnants of$98K to the City of Newark for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel35 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$85K to the City of Newark for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$34K to the City of Newark for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$34K to the City of Newark for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $666K
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 Newark after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newark archive →Newark and its neighbors
Newark has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Brookside | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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 Newark 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.
- Newark 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 Newark
Is Newark at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newark has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. 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 Newark flood?
Flood insurance has paid 47 claims in Newark since 1978, $2.8M in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (15).
Is Newark 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 Newark?
Newark 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 Newark?
By FEMA money that reached Newark, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 35 households applied for aid, $39K approved, and $85K to the City of Newark for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 15 paid, $666K.
Is Newark at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Newark’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newark.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newark’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.