Why You Need Flood Insurance

While Newark is not prone to hurricanes, any severe storm can produce torrential rains and flooding. Homes located within the 100-year floodplain along the main channels of Christina Creek or White Clay Creek and built prior to the adoption of city floodplain regulations may be at risk of flooding during a severe local storm.

Most homeowners’ insurance policies specifically exclude damage caused by flood waters or from rising water from inadequate drainage and wind-driven rain.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

Fortunately, flood insurance is available to Newark homeowners of property located in the floodplain through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP offers flood damage protection to communities, such as Newark, that have worked to manage and reduce the dangers of local flooding. Because of the City’s rigorous floodplain and related regulations, Newarkers qualify for lower flood insurance premiums through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s community rating system.

NFIP coverage is available to any Newark owner or renter of insurable property. If you would like to purchase flood insurance, please contact any licensed property insurance agency or broker.

Preliminary Floodplain Map – Public Meeting of July 26, 2017

The City of Newark, along with New Castle County and the State of Delaware, hosted a meeting on July 26, 2017 to answer questions regarding new preliminary flood maps issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The meeting was open to all City residents and letters regarding the meeting were mailed to property owners whose parcels are located within floodplain boundaries in the City of Newark. Property owners were requested to bring to the meeting any elevation certificates for the property in question, as well as photographs, documented high water marks and/or any information from specific storm or flood events.  The City is still seeking additional property elevation and flooding documentation from any properties within the FEMA mapped floodplain.  Audio minutes from the public meeting are available by clicking here.

Additional Resources and Points of Contact

Delaware Flood Planning Tool: www.de.gov/floodplanning 
FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer: www.fema.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html
FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC): www.msc.fema.gov
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): www.floodsmart.gov
Delaware Environmental Navigator: maps.dnrec.delaware.gov/navmap

FEMA Region III
Nikki Roberts, Project Engineer
Email: Nikki.Roberts@fema.dhs.gov
Phone: (215) 931-5575

Delaware State NFIP Coordinator
Greg Williams, CFM
Email: Gregory.Williams@state.de.us
Phone: (302) 739-9921

Flood Insurance
Rich Sobota, Insurance Specialist, FEMA
Email: Richard.Sobota@fema.dhs.gov
Phone: (215) 931-5514

More Information

For more information about whether your property is located within the 100-year floodplain of the Christina Creek or White Clay Creek, please call the Newark Planning Department at (302) 366-7000.