Flooding: What you can do about it in Delaware

The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins in June, is expected to be another above-average season, according to the National Hurricane Center. Researchers are predicting at least 19 named storms and nine hurricanes, four of which are expected to be Category 3 or higher. The average is 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

So, you should be prepared, especially for flooding. But not just for hurricanes – with more severe storms, sea-level rise and other factors linked to climate change, flooding can occur almost any time. Plus, Delaware is the lowest-lying state in the nation.

So how can you protect against flooding? Gov. John Carney has declared May 9-13 as Delaware Flood Awareness Week, with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency partnering to alert Delawareans to increasing flood risks we face in the First State.

Floodplain Management Program

Flooding can impact anyone, whether they live in or out of a mapped floodplain. FEMA estimates that just one inch of flooding can cause up to $25,000 in damage to a home. If you are prepared, and know your flood risk, you can take steps now to lower that risk to your family and property.

Delaware is a member of FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. Flood insurance provides financial security and ensures quick recovery of personal property from flood damage. 

DNREC’s Floodplain Management Program assists 50 communities in the state now participating in NFIP. Each of these communities has adopted a floodplain ordinance that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements by the NFIP for development in the 100-year floodplain – which equates to a 1% annual chance of flood or the base flood.

Coordinating with FEMA, the Floodplain Management Program supports communities enforcing NFIP floodplain management standards in keeping with federal regulations, while also promoting adoption of higher standards to reduce flood risk. Recently, the program introduced the interactive Delaware Flood Planning Tool to help Delawareans make informed decisions on their specific area or property.

Other resources

Another resource is the Delaware Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards by DNREC, DEMA and Delaware Sea Grant, which advises homeowners on actions they can take to protect their properties from flooding.

For a one-stop resource list, “Floods: Are You Prepared?” provides even more helpful information.

Knowing your flood risk and getting flood insurance if you need it are the best ways to be prepared. Flooding is a year-round threat, and just a few inches of rainfall can cause significant damage to homes and businesses. Coastlines are vulnerable to flooding from storm surges or tides during hurricanes and other coastal storms.

Having the right information, before flooding occurs, can make all the difference.

So, do you think you’re prepared? Take our flood quiz to find out.