Photo: Levelhead at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Seaford faces less hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seaford gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #12 of 37 in Delaware. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1979.
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 Seaford’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Seaford 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 Seaford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seaford, and Seaford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #12 of 37 in Delaware; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seaford’s residents live in 4 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, Seaford has less expected damage per building than 69% of Delaware towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Seaford: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seaford flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seaford, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $64K
Seaford is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Sussex County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seaford
Disasters that paid out in Seaford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Seaford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$30K to the City of Seaford for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $64K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$31K to the City of Seaford for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$50K to the City of Seaford for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$38K to the City of Seaford for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel19 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$36K to the City of Seaford for repairs
- 2003Snow$17K to the City of Seaford 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 Seaford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seaford archive →Get ready for what Seaford 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.
- Seaford residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Seaford
Is Seaford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seaford has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #12 of 37 in Delaware. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seaford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Seaford since 1979, $257K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is Seaford 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 Seaford?
Seaford is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Seaford?
By FEMA money that reached Seaford, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 19 households applied for aid, $15K approved, and $36K to the City of Seaford for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $64K.
Is Seaford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Seaford’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seaford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seaford’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.