Kent County
Delaware — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Kent County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.5, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $56M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 0.79 / yr | $10M |
| Winter Weather | High | 7.78 / yr | $534K |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.11 / yr | $10M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.25 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 5.48 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.39 / yr | $24M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 33.57 / yr | $585K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.69 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.43 / yr | $205K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $126K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.68 / yr | $770K |
| Hail | Low | 1.62 / yr | $236K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $330 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kent County?
Kent County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kent County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $10M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $534K EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kent County compare to other Delaware counties?
Kent County ranks #3 of 3 Delaware counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Kent County's $56M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.