Delaware cold wave risk
Sussex County has the highest cold wave risk in Delaware, scoring 98.1 out of 100 — rated "Relatively High" by FEMA's National Risk Index.
| # | County | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sussex County | 98.1 | Relatively High |
| 2 | Kent County | 93.7 | Relatively High |
| 3 | New Castle County | 93.4 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. Scores are 0–100 percentile rankings among all US counties. See the methodology page for definitions. Download the full CSV for all counties.
Cold Wave risk nationally:
Other hazard risks in Delaware:
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest cold wave risk county in Delaware?
Sussex County, DE has the highest cold wave risk in Delaware, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 98.1 out of 100 (rated "Relatively High").
What causes cold wave risk in Delaware?
Cold wave risk captures expected losses from extended periods of extreme cold, including wind chill. The northern Plains, Great Lakes, and interior New England see the most severe and frequent cold events. Cold extremes cause significant excess mortality, especially among unhoused populations, the elderly, and those with inadequate heating or insulation. Cold and wind chill events are reported at forecast-zone level in NOAA Storm Events and are not included in county-level counts.