Key facts: Newark
- White Clay Creek, an 18.5-mile tributary of the Christina, runs near the city.[2]
- Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020 closed roads here and forced a motel evacuation.[3]
- Five Newark ZIP codes are in our coverage, reaching from the University of Delaware streets into the suburbs that share the mailing address.[1]
Creek flooding on Newark roads
A closer look in Newark
Who handles a leak in a student rental?
Tenants should tell the landlord right away, in writing as well as by phone, and photograph their own belongings. The owner's policy usually covers the building, while renters insurance, if any, covers possessions. A quick report also keeps a small leak from turning into mold under a lease dispute.
Flood claims recorded in New Castle County
Newark 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 Newark claim record shows
For Newark 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 Newark home stays dry.
If your Newark 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. If your loss falls inside an open declaration, Newark homeowners can check DisasterAssistance.gov as well as their insurance policy.
Newark weather and your home
Weather records for Newark from 2015 through 2024 average 52 inches of precipitation a year, and August and July are the wettest months. The area averages 11.5 days a year with an inch or more.
Newark falls to 20°F or below on about 14 nights a year, which puts pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces and garages at risk.
When rain falls in Newark
Seasonal averages for Newark, 2015 through 2024. Plan roof, gutter and sump pump checks before the wettest stretch.
| Season | Average | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| January to March | 11.6 in | 22% |
| April to June | 13.8 in | 26% |
| July to September | 15.5 in | 30% |
| October to December | 11.5 in | 22% |
Modeled from Open-Meteo historical weather data. Precipitation includes rain and melted snow.
Newark 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 14-plus hard-freeze nights arrive, and know your main shutoff.
- Test any sump pump before August, since Newark averages 12 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 Newark contractor
- Whether you rent or own
- Whether the landlord knows
- How far the water spread
Services Newark callers ask about
Questions
Newark water damage questions
How long do I have before mold starts?
Mold is less likely when soaked materials dry within 24 to 48 hours, according to the EPA.[4]
Can a tenant call a contractor in Newark?
You can call, but the landlord normally has to authorize building work. Tell them early.