Delaware lightning risk
Sussex County has the highest lightning risk in Delaware, scoring 82.9 out of 100 — rated "Relatively High" by FEMA's National Risk Index. Recorded lightning events across Delaware have increased 27% over the past five years compared to the prior five-year period.
| # | County | NRI score | Rating |
NOAA events 2016–2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sussex County | 82.9 | Relatively High | 14 |
| 2 | New Castle County | 81.3 | Relatively Moderate | 11 |
| 3 | Kent County | 73.4 | Relatively Moderate | 0 |
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.
Lightning risk nationally:
Other hazard risks in Delaware:
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest lightning risk county in Delaware?
Sussex County, DE has the highest lightning risk in Delaware, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.9 out of 100 (rated "Relatively High").
What causes lightning risk in Delaware?
Lightning risk reflects expected annual losses from cloud-to-ground strikes, which ignite building fires, damage electrical systems, and cause fatalities. Florida consistently leads the US in lightning density. High scores also appear across the Gulf Coast, Southeast, and central Plains, where afternoon convective storms are most frequent in summer months.