Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Delaware Township faces more hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Delaware Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hail (13%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1981.
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 Delaware Township 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Delaware Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Delaware Township, and Delaware Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 13%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Delaware Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $417K a year in losses across Delaware Township: $334K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Delaware Township flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Delaware Township, from FEMA’s records: 32.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms4 claims · $21K
Delaware Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.The storms Delaware Township remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Hancock County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Delaware Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20076 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Hancock County
- 20114 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19813 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes, declared for Hancock County
Hancock County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Delaware Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Delaware Township archive →Delaware Township and its neighbors
Delaware Township is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Amanda Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Delaware Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Jackson Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Madison Township | — | 977 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mount Blanchard | — | 500 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Richland Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Delaware Township 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Delaware Township
Is Delaware Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Delaware Township has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hail (13%). 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 Delaware Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Delaware Township since 1981, $376K in all, or 32.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (4).
Is Delaware Township 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 Hancock County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Delaware Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Delaware Township’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 Delaware Township?
By flood claims, Late winter storms: 4 paid, $21K.
Is Delaware Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Delaware Township’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Delaware Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Delaware Township’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.