Key facts: Delaware City
- Delaware City is a port of 1,885 people at the eastern end of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.[1]
- It is small and historic, and it sits low enough that flooding along Route 9 has become a recognized concern.[2]
- WHYY reported that flooding in this town and other Route 9 communities is becoming a serious problem.[2]
Urban flooding on Route 9
WHYY reported that flooding in this town and other Route 9 communities is becoming a serious problem.[2] Urban flooding comes from rain with nowhere to go, as much as from the river. Clear gutters and storm grates near you where it is safe, and keep valuables off basement floors.
A closer look in Delaware City
Historic district care
Flood claims recorded in New Castle County
Delaware City sits in New Castle County. FEMA publishes every National Flood Insurance Program claim with personal details removed, which gives a plain record of where water has reached insured buildings here.
| Measure | Count |
|---|---|
| Flood insurance claims on record | 1,575 |
| Year with the most claims | 2003 (263) |
| Largest named event | Hurricane Floyd (210) |
| Claims outside high-risk A and V zones | 32% |
| Claims on buildings built before 1975 | 80% |
County-wide counts of insured claims only. Uninsured losses, burst pipes and appliance leaks are not in this data.
What the Delaware City claim record shows
For Delaware City homes, the local precedents are the events behind the most New Castle County claims: Hurricane Floyd (210 claims), Hurricane Irene (144 claims) and Hurricane Ida (90 claims).
About 32% of claims with a recorded zone came from outside the high-risk A and V zones, so a moderate-risk label does not mean a Delaware City home stays dry.
If your Delaware City home is older, note that buildings from before 1975 make up 80% of county claims with a known build date. Many predate current flood maps, so inspect low outlets, ductwork and subfloors closely after any water event.
Federal disaster history for New Castle County
FEMA lists 17 federal declarations covering New Castle County. The most common types are hurricane (9), snowstorm (4) and biological (2). The latest are Remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021, Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020 and Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020. When a declaration is open, federal aid may be available to Delaware City residents, so ask about it alongside your insurance claim.
Delaware City weather and your home
Weather records for Delaware City from 2015 through 2024 average 51 inches of precipitation a year, and August and July are the wettest months. The area averages 10.4 days a year with an inch or more.
Delaware City falls to 20°F or below on about 12 nights a year, which puts pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces and garages at risk.
When rain falls in Delaware City
Seasonal averages for Delaware City, 2015 through 2024. Plan roof, gutter and sump pump checks before the wettest stretch.
| Season | Average | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| January to March | 11.7 in | 23% |
| April to June | 13.1 in | 25% |
| July to September | 15.0 in | 29% |
| October to December | 11.6 in | 23% |
Modeled from Open-Meteo historical weather data. Precipitation includes rain and melted snow.
Delaware City home checklist from these records
- Don't rely on recent quiet years. Only 15% of New Castle County claims date from 2015 or later, so older floods still show what can happen.
- Insulate exposed pipes before 12-plus hard-freeze nights arrive, and know your main shutoff.
- Test any sump pump before August, since Delaware City averages 10 days a year with an inch or more.
- Keep dated photos of each room. After Hurricane Floyd, 210 insured New Castle County owners filed claims at about the same time.
What to tell the Delaware City contractor
- Whether water came from street level or inside
- Whether the building is in the historic district
- Whether roads are passable
Services Delaware City callers ask about
Questions
Delaware City water damage questions
Is street flooding covered by my home policy?
Usually not. Surface flooding typically needs separate flood coverage.
What if I smell gas after a flood?
Leave the building and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.