States › Delaware › Kent County
Kent County, Delaware
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 1 Oct 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
Between 1950 and 2026, NCEI recorded 1,087 storm events in Kent County, Delaware, led by damaging wind.
That is 185.5 events per 100 square miles, below the Delaware figure of 241.8, and 59.0 per 10,000 residents against 47.0 statewide.
29 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 7 deaths and 223 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $23M and crop damage at $8.1M.
FEMA has designated the county in 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Severe Winter Storm (major disaster, 29 May 2026).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 376 claims since 1978, of which 287 were paid, totalling $3.6M (about $12K per paid claim). FEMA counts 822 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Relatively Moderate" and its expected annual loss as "Relatively Moderate" ($56M a year across 18 hazards).
66 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 2 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with Delaware and the United States
| Measure | Kent County | Delaware | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 1,087 | 4,711 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 185.5 | 241.8 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 59.0 | 47.0 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 29 | 123 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 7 | 36 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $23M | $162M | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 2.0 | 6.3 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $12K | $19K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 4.6 | 2.5 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 645 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 364 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Jul 1983 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $250K | — | 2 | 9 | County |
| 1 Aug 2006 | Heat | Heat | — | — | — | 2 | — | Forecast zone |
| 6 Feb 2007 | Extreme Cold/Wind Chill | Cold | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 17 Jan 2016 | Winter Weather | Winter | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 8 Mar 2008 | Strong Wind | Wind | 53 mph | $50K | — | 1 | — | Forecast zone |
| 7 Jun 1988 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $2.5M | — | — | 30 | County |
| 2 Jan 2014 | Heavy Snow | Winter | — | — | — | — | 25 | Forecast zone |
| 5 Mar 2015 | Winter Storm | Winter | — | — | — | — | 11 | Forecast zone |
| 21 Jan 2014 | Heavy Snow | Winter | — | — | — | — | 10 | Forecast zone |
| 21 Jan 2015 | Winter Weather | Winter | — | — | — | — | 10 | Forecast zone |
| 9 Feb 2015 | Winter Weather | Winter | — | — | — | — | 9 | Forecast zone |
| 27 Jan 1967 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $250K | — | — | 7 | County |
| 21 Feb 2015 | Winter Weather | Winter | — | — | — | — | 7 | Forecast zone |
| 25 Feb 2007 | Winter Storm | Winter | — | — | — | — | 6 | Forecast zone |
| 28 Jan 2014 | Heavy Snow | Winter | — | — | — | — | 6 | Forecast zone |
| 27 Jan 2009 | Winter Storm | Winter | — | $50K | — | — | 5 | Forecast zone |
| 21 Nov 2008 | Winter Weather | Winter | — | — | — | — | 5 | Forecast zone |
| 26 Jan 2011 | Winter Weather | Winter | — | — | — | — | 5 | Forecast zone |
| 1 Feb 2013 | Winter Weather | Winter | — | — | — | — | 5 | Forecast zone |
| 7 Jan 2017 | Winter Storm | Winter | — | — | — | — | 5 | Forecast zone |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 May 2026 | DR-4916 | Major disaster | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 2 Oct 2020 | DR-4566 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaias | Public assistance |
| 5 Apr 2020 | DR-4526 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3449 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 16 Nov 2012 | DR-4090 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Public assistance |
| 29 Oct 2012 | EM-3357 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Public assistance |
| 30 Sep 2011 | DR-4037 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Public assistance |
| 28 Aug 2011 | EM-3336 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Public assistance |
| 31 Mar 2010 | DR-1896 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Public assistance |
| 30 Sep 2005 | EM-3263 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Public assistance |
| 20 Sep 2003 | DR-1494 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 20 Mar 2003 | EM-3183 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 12 Jan 1996 | DR-1082 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Blizzard Of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) | Public assistance |
| 16 Mar 1994 | DR-1017 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Ice Storms And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 18 Mar 1993 | EM-3111 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 6 Feb 1992 | DR-933 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Coastal Storm | Public assistance |
| 18 Aug 1965 | DR-207 | Major disaster | Drought | Water Shortage | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 | $11,491 | $5,746 |
| 2024 | 5 | 5 | $51,030 | $10,206 |
| 2023 | 5 | 4 | $56,972 | $14,243 |
| 2022 | 5 | 3 | $30,756 | $10,252 |
| 2021 | 3 | 1 | $28,133 | $28,133 |
| 2020 | 2 | 2 | $240,000 | $120,000 |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | $1,609 | $1,609 |
| 2018 | 13 | 10 | $116,524 | $11,652 |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2016 | 16 | 11 | $141,302 | $12,846 |
| 2015 | 2 | 1 | $1,890 | $1,890 |
| 2013 | 6 | 4 | $13,650 | $3,413 |
| 2012 | 6 | 4 | $18,861 | $4,715 |
| 2011 | 34 | 21 | $390,522 | $18,596 |
| 2010 | 3 | 2 | $5,721 | $2,860 |
| 2009 | 9 | 8 | $59,349 | $7,419 |
| 2008 | 64 | 57 | $1,424,219 | $24,986 |
| 2007 | 1 | 1 | $3,372 | $3,372 |
| 2006 | 4 | 2 | $20,341 | $10,170 |
| 2004 | 2 | 2 | $31,298 | $15,649 |
| 2003 | 3 | 2 | $7,743 | $3,872 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2000 | 3 | 1 | $13,309 | $13,309 |
| 1999 | 2 | 1 | $20,697 | $20,697 |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $23,515,045 | |
| Cold wave | $10,352,424 | |
| Hurricane | $10,003,152 | |
| Heat wave | $2,637,911 | |
| Tornado | $2,534,785 | |
| Earthquake | $1,841,671 | |
| Drought | $1,287,206 | |
| Coastal flooding | $1,128,498 | |
| Strong wind | $770,153 | |
| Lightning | $584,905 | |
| Winter weather | $533,602 | |
| Hail | $235,586 | |
| Ice storm | $204,880 | |
| Wildfire | $126,329 | |
| Landslide | $330 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
| Storm | Year | Closest approach | Max wind while within 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elsa | 2021 | 48 mi | 58 mph |
| Ida | 2021 | 49 mi | 40 mph |
| Fay | 2020 | 61 mi | 58 mph |
| Sandy | 2012 | 60 mi | 86 mph |
| Irene | 2011 | 63 mi | 75 mph |
| Hanna | 2008 | 82 mi | 52 mph |
| Ernesto | 2006 | 66 mi | 46 mph |
| Twenty-two | 2005 | 98 mi | 40 mph |
| Charley | 2004 | 92 mi | 40 mph |
| Gaston | 2004 | 79 mi | 40 mph |
| Jeanne | 2004 | 48 mi | 40 mph |
| Floyd | 1999 | 77 mi | 69 mph |
| Bertha | 1996 | 64 mi | 69 mph |
| Danielle | 1992 | 41 mi | 63 mph |
| Charley | 1986 | 98 mi | 69 mph |
| Gloria | 1985 | 72 mi | 98 mph |
| Henri | 1985 | 97 mi | 40 mph |
| Belle | 1976 | 94 mi | 92 mph |
| Doria | 1971 | 43 mi | 58 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1968 | 97 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1963 | 73 mi | 46 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1961 | 56 mi | 58 mph |
| Brenda | 1960 | 30 mi | 58 mph |
| Cindy | 1959 | 90 mi | 52 mph |
| Connie | 1955 | 59 mi | 58 mph |
HURDAT2 best-track positions at tropical-storm strength (34 kt) or more, measured from the county's Census centre point; through the 2025 season. Distance from a track is not the same as the extent of the storm's wind, rain or surge.
ZIP codes with flood claims
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Kent County, DE?
NCEI records 36 hail events in Kent County since 1950, in 20 different years; that is about 0.5 recorded events a year. 6 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Kent County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 25 tornadoes in Kent County since 1950, 5 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 2.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Kent County?
29 May 2026: Severe Winter Storm, a major disaster declaration for winter storm. The county appears in 17 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Kent County, and how much was paid?
376 NFIP claims since 1978, 287 of them paid, for $3.6M in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Kent County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Relatively Moderate" for overall risk, "Relatively Moderate" for expected annual loss, "Relatively Low" for social vulnerability and "Relatively High" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Kent County compare with the rest of Delaware?
185.5 recorded events per 100 square miles against 241.8 statewide, and 2.0 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 6.3. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 1 Oct 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 1 Oct 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.