Englehart Melchinger House · Photo: Smallbones · CC0On FEMA’s figures, Dover faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dover gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Dover 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 Dover’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dover, and Dover’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B− lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Dover’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $448K a year in losses across Dover: $376K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dover flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dover, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $8K
Dover isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dover
Disasters that paid out in Dover itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Dover), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida170 households applied for aid$282K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee253 households applied for aid$444K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan9 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
York County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Dover after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dover archive →Dover and its neighbors
Dover has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Weigelstown | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Dover 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 Dover
Is Dover at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dover has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (12%). 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 Dover flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Dover since 1979, $8K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (1).
Is Dover 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 York County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dover?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dover’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 Dover?
By FEMA money that reached Dover, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 253 households applied for aid, $444K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Dover at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Dover’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dover.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dover’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.