Dover, DE

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 40,191 · Part of Kent County

Dover is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Kent County, DE. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, winter weather, and hurricane.

Storm events near Dover

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Dover's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Dover itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 11 events
Hail 22 events
Inland Flooding 51 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Kent County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Dover along with the rest of the county, not a Dover-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 64.9 Relatively Low
Inland Flooding 82.9 Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flooding 69.6 Relatively Moderate
Earthquake 80.7 Relatively Low
Heat Wave 87.6 Relatively Moderate
Tornado 68.6 Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Not Applicable
Cold Wave 93.7 Relatively High
Drought 84.9 Relatively Moderate
Hail 45.9 Relatively Low
Hurricane 91.3 Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm 67.7 Relatively Moderate
Landslide 30.2 Very Low
Lightning 73.4 Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind 60 Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Insufficient Data
Volcanic Activity Not Applicable
Winter Weather 92.8 Relatively High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Kent County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

Other cities in Kent County:

More on Kent County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is Dover, DE at risk of?

Dover is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Kent County, where Dover is located, are cold wave, winter weather, and hurricane.

What is Dover's biggest natural hazard risk?

Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Kent County, where Dover is located, scoring 93.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").

Is Dover a high-risk area for natural disasters?

Somewhat — Dover carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Kent County.

Has Dover had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 11 tornado, 22 hail, 51 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Dover since 2016.