Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Sussex than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sussex gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2000.
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 Sussex 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
Strong wind
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 Sussex’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sussex, and Sussex’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sussex’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Sussex: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sussex flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sussex, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $31K
Sussex 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sussex
Disasters that paid out in Sussex itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Sussex), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Borough of Sussex for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$65K to the Borough of Sussex for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy112 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene438 households applied for aid$957K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $31K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$82K to the Borough of Sussex for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$2K to the Borough of Sussex for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Sussex County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Sussex after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sussex archive →Get ready for what Sussex 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Sussex
Is Sussex at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sussex has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and strong wind (8%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sussex flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Sussex since 2000, $80K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Sussex 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, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sussex?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sussex’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 Sussex?
By FEMA money that reached Sussex, Hurricane Irene (2011): 438 households applied for aid, $957K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $31K.
Is Sussex at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Sussex’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sussex.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sussex’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.