Photo: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Smyrna’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smyrna gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #17 of 37 in Delaware. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Smyrna 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 Smyrna’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Smyrna, and Smyrna’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #17 of 37 in Delaware; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Smyrna’s residents live in 7 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, Smyrna has less expected damage per building than 56% of Delaware towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Smyrna: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Smyrna flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Smyrna, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $7K
- Hurricane Gloria1 claim · $7K
Smyrna isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kent County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Smyrna
Disasters that paid out in Smyrna itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Smyrna), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm$7K to the Town of Smyrna for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$19K to the Town of Smyrna for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$5K to the Town of Smyrna for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$19K to the Town of Smyrna for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$43K to the Town of Smyrna for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel3 households applied for aid$287 aid approved$12K to the Town of Smyrna for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Snow$17K to the Town of Smyrna for repairs
Kent County has had 12 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 Smyrna after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Smyrna archive →Smyrna and its neighbors
Smyrna 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smyrna | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Clayton | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Smyrna 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 Smyrna
Is Smyrna at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smyrna has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #17 of 37 in Delaware. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Smyrna flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Smyrna since 1979, $105K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Smyrna 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 Kent County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Smyrna?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Smyrna’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 Smyrna?
By FEMA money that reached Smyrna, Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms (2010): $43K to the Town of Smyrna for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Smyrna at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Smyrna’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Smyrna.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Smyrna’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.