Delaware Summary

From 1980-2024, there were 35 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect Delaware. These events included 5 drought events, 2 flooding events, 1 freeze event, 7 severe storm events, 8 tropical cyclone events, and 12 winter storm events. The 1980โ€“2024 annual average is 0.8 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2020โ€“2024) is 1.6 events (CPI-adjusted).

Billion-dollar events to affect Delaware from 1980 to 2024 (CPI-Adjusted)
Disaster TypeEventsEvents/โ€‹YearPercent FrequencyTotal CostsPercent of Total Costs
Drought50.114.3%$500M-$1.0B27.8%
Flooding20.05.7%$5M-$100M1.1%
Freeze10.02.9%$5M-$100M0.4%
Severe Storm70.220.0%$250M-$500M9.0%
Tropical Cyclone80.222.9%$1.0B-$2.0B32.4%
Wildfire----------
Winter Storm120.334.3%$500M-$1.0B29.3%
All Disasters350.8100.0%$2.0B-$5.0B100.0%
Select Time Period Comparisons of Delaware Billion-Dollar Drought, Flooding, Freeze, Severe Storm, Tropical Cyclone, Wildfire, and Winter Storm Statistics (CPI-Adjusted)
Time PeriodBillion-Dollar DisastersEvents/YearCostPercent of Total Cost
1980s (1980-1989)40.4$100M-$250M5.2%
1990s (1990-1999)80.8$500M-$1.0B25.5%
2000s (2000-2009)70.7$500M-$1.0B23.4%
2010s (2010-2019)80.8$1.0B-$2.0B32.7%
Last 5 Years (2020-2024)81.6$250M-$500M13.2%
Last 3 Years (2022-2024)41.3$100M-$250M4.5%
Last Year (2024)11.0$5M-$100M1.6%
All Years (1980-2024)350.8$2.0B-$5.0B100.0%
Billion-Dollar Events to affect Delaware
Event Type Begin
Date
End
Date
Summary CPI-Adjusted
Estimated
Cost
(in Billions)
Deaths
Southern Tornado Outbreak and East Coast Storm
January 2024
Severe StormJanuary 8, 2024January 10, 2024Southern tornado outbreak and east coast storm impacted more than a dozen states. At least 39 preliminary tornadoes were clustered around the Florida Panhandle through the Carolinas while hundreds of high wind reports were scattered up the East Coast reflecting damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and other infrastructure. The strongest tornado was an EF-3 that caused significant damage around Panama City Beach, Florida, after an intense waterspout moved onshore.$2.8 CI3
East Coast Storm and Flooding
December 2023
FloodingDecember 16, 2023December 18, 2023Powerful east coast storm from Florida to Maine produced widespread impacts from heavy rainfall, flooding, high winds and coastal erosion. The heavy rainfall and snowmelt were amplified by record-high temperatures in the Northeast.$1.3 CI5
Northeastern and Eastern Severe Weather
August 2023
Severe StormAugust 5, 2023August 8, 2023More than one thousand reports of high wind, severe hail or tornadoes across many Northeastern and Eastern states. August 7 was a prolific day of severe weather with damage reports from Georgia to New York. These storms caused impacts to many homes, vehicles, businesses, agriculture and other infrastructure.$1.7 CI4
Hurricane Ida
August 2021
Tropical CycloneAugust 29, 2021September 1, 2021Category 4 Hurricane Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 930 mb. Ida was one of three hurricanes in recorded history to make landfall in Louisiana with 150 mph winds, along with Hurricane Laura in 2020 and the 'Last Island' hurricane of 1856. Grand Isle, Louisiana took a direct hit with 100% of its homes damaged and nearly 40% were nearly-to-completely destroyed. There was heavy damage to the energy infrastructure across southern Louisiana causing widespread, long duration power outages to millions of people. Parts of New Orleans were without power for nearly a week due to the widespread damage. As the remnants of Ida moved into the Northeast it merged with a frontal system creating severe weather and flash flooding across a wide region from eastern Pennsylvania to New York. Flash flood emergencies were declared in New Jersey and New York for the first time, producing damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and infrastructure while also causing dozens of fatalities.$84.6 CI96
Hurricane Isaias
August 2020
Tropical CycloneAugust 3, 2020August 4, 2020Hurricane Isaias made landfall in southeastern North Carolina as a category 1 storm. Isaias accelerated up the East Coast, resulting in widespread damage and power outages across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. There was also considerable inland flooding most notably in Pennsylvania. In addition, 34 tornadoes developed across North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey due to Isaias. Many tornadoes were weaker (EF-0 and EF-1) producing scattered damage to agriculture, structures and residences. Isaias also produced several EF-2 tornadoes and one EF-3 tornado that caused damage in coastal North Carolina and Virginia.$5.8 CI16
Central, Southern and Eastern Severe Weather
April 2020
Severe StormApril 27, 2020April 30, 2020Severe weather across many Central, Southern and Eastern states produced primarily large hail and high winds that caused widespread damage to many homes, vehicles and businesses. The states affected included Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey.$1.3 CI1
Southeast and Eastern Tornado Outbreak
April 2020
Severe StormApril 12, 2020April 13, 2020Outbreak of at least 140 tornadoes from Texas to Maryland including 3 EF4s, 12 EF3s, 20 EF2s, 77 EF1s and 28 EF0s. Damage was extensive and highly destructive to many homes, vehicles and businesses across more than a dozen Southeast and Eastern states.$4.2 CI35
Northeast Winter Storm
March 2018
Winter StormMarch 1, 2018March 3, 2018Powerful Nor'easter impacted many Northeastern states including MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, CT, DE, RA and VA. Widespread damage resulted from the combination of high winds, heavy snow and heavy coastal erosion.$2.8 CI9
Central and Eastern Winter storm, Cold Wave
February 2015
Winter StormFebruary 14, 2015February 20, 2015A large winter storm and associated cold wave impacted many central, eastern and northeastern states (CT, DE, GA, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA). The city of Boston was particularly impacted as feet of snow continued to accumulate causing load-stress on buildings and clogging transportation corridors. Total, direct losses in Massachusetts alone exceed $1.0 ($1.3) billion for this event, with considerable damage in many other states.$4.0 CI30
Rockies/Midwest/Eastern Severe Weather
May 2014
Severe StormMay 18, 2014May 23, 2014Severe storms across the Rockies, Midwest and Eastern states (CO, MT, IA, IL, IN, OH, SC, VA, PA, DE, NY) with the most costly damage in Colorado, Illinois and Pennsylvania.$4.9 CI0
Midwest/Southeast/Northeast Tornadoes and Flooding
April 2014
Severe StormApril 27, 2014May 1, 2014Tornado outbreak across the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast states (AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, KS, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA) with 83 confirmed tornadoes. Mississippi had its 3rd greatest number of tornadoes reported for any day since 1950. Torrential rainfall in the Florida panhandle also caused major flooding, as Pensacola set new 1-day and 2-day precipitation records of 15.55 and 20.47 inches, respectively. Flooding rains were also reported in coastal Alabama, as Mobile received 11.24 inches of rain, the third greatest calendar day rainfall total for the city.$2.3 CI33
U.S. Drought/Heat Wave
2012
DroughtJanuary 1, 2012December 31, 2012The 2012 drought is the most extensive drought to affect the U.S. since the 1930s. Moderate to extreme drought conditions affected more than half the country for a majority of 2012. The following states were affected: CA, NV, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM, TX, ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, AR, MO, IA, MN, IL, IN, GA. Costly drought impacts occurred across the central agriculture states resulting in widespread harvest failure for corn, sorghum and soybean crops, among others. The associated summer heat wave also caused 123 direct deaths, but an estimate of the excess mortality due to heat stress is still unknown.$41.7 CI123
Hurricane Sandy
October 2012
Tropical CycloneOctober 30, 2012October 31, 2012Extensive damage across several northeastern states (MD, DE, NJ, NY, CT, MA, RI) due to high wind and coastal storm surge, particularly NY and NJ. Damage from wind, rain and heavy snow also extended more broadly to other states (NC, VA, WV, OH, PA, NH), as Sandy merged with a developing Nor'easter. Sandy's impact on major population centers caused widespread interruption to critical water/electrical services and also caused 159 deaths (72 direct, 87 indirect). Sandy also caused the New York Stock Exchange to close for two consecutive business days, which last happened in 1888 due to a major winter storm.$88.5 CI159
Southern Plains/Southwest Drought and Heat Wave
Spring-Summer 2011
DroughtMarch 1, 2011August 31, 2011Drought and heat wave conditions created major impacts across Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, southern Kansas, and western Louisiana. In Texas and Oklahoma, a majority of range and pastures were classified in "very poor" condition for much of the 2011 crop growing season.$17.1 CI95
Northeast Winter Storm
February 2010
Winter StormFebruary 9, 2010February 11, 2010Winter storm produced 10-20 inches of snow and high wind impacts across numerous northeastern and eastern states including Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. These impacts were most focused in Pennsylvania and Maryland, as this winter storm closely followed a previous winter storm from the week prior.$1.2* CI3
Western/Eastern Drought/Heat Wave
Summer-Fall 2007
DroughtJune 1, 2007November 30, 2007Severe drought with periods of extreme heat over most of the southeast and portions of the Great Plains, Ohio Valley, and Great Lakes area, resulting in major reductions in crop yields, along with very low stream-flows and lake levels. Includes states of ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, TX, MN, WI, IA, MO, AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, NC, SC, FL, TN, VA, WV, KY, IN, IL, OH, MI, PA, NY.$5.5 CI15
East/South Severe Weather and Flooding
April 2007
Severe StormApril 13, 2007April 17, 2007Flooding, hail, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms across numerous states (CT, DE, GA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MS, NH, NJ, NY, NC, PA, RI, SC, TX, VT, VA) in mid-April, including 3 "killer" tornadoes.$3.8 CI9
Northeast Flooding
June 2006
FloodingJune 25, 2006June 28, 2006Severe flooding over portions of the northeast due to several weeks of heavy rainfall, affecting the states of NY, PA, DE, MD, NJ, and VA.$2.4 CI20
Hurricane Jeanne
September 2004
Tropical CycloneSeptember 15, 2004September 29, 2004Category 3 hurricane makes landfall in east-central Florida, causing considerable wind, storm surge, and flooding damage in FL, with some flood damage also in the states of GA, SC, NC, VA, MD, DE, NJ, PA, and NY. Puerto Rico also affected.$12.4 CI28
Hurricane Ivan
September 2004
Tropical CycloneSeptember 12, 2004September 21, 2004Category 3 hurricane makes landfall on Gulf coast of Alabama, with significant wind, storm surge, and flooding damage in coastal AL and FL panhandle, along with wind/flood damage in the states of GA, MS, LA, SC, NC, VA, WV, MD, TN, KY, OH, DE, NJ, PA, and NY.$34.0 CI57
Hurricane Isabel
September 2003
Tropical CycloneSeptember 18, 2003September 19, 2003Category 2 hurricane makes landfall in eastern North Carolina, causing considerable storm surge damage along the coasts of NC, VA, and MD, with wind damage and some flooding due to 4-12 inch rains in NC, VA, MD, DE, WV, NJ, NY, and PA.$9.3 CI55
U.S. Drought
Spring-Fall 2002
DroughtMarch 1, 2002November 30, 2002Moderate to extreme drought over large portions of more than 30 states, including the western states, the Great Plains, and much of the eastern U.S.$16.0 CI0
Hurricane Floyd
September 1999
Tropical CycloneSeptember 14, 1999September 16, 1999Large, category 2 hurricane makes landfall in eastern NC, causing 10-20 inch rains in 2 days, with severe flooding in NC and some flooding in SC, VA, MD, PA, NY, NJ, DE, RI, CT, MA, NH, and VT.$12.2 CI77
Central and Eastern Winter Storm
January 1999
Winter StormJanuary 1, 1999January 4, 1999South, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast affected by damaging winter storm$2.0 CI25
Blizzard/Floods
January 1996
Winter StormJanuary 1, 1996January 31, 1996Very heavy snowstorm (1-4 feet) over Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast; followed by severe flooding in parts of same area due to rain and snowmelt.$6.1 CI187
Central, Southern and Northeast Drought/Heat Wave
September 1995
DroughtJuly 1, 1995September 30, 1995Historic mid-July heat wave and urban heat island amplification caused hundreds of deaths across several major cities including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia. Following the heat wave was hot, dry weather in July and August 1995 that affected crops in numerous states, as crops had not rooted well due to late planting from previous wet soils. This left crops vulnerable to a flash drought during a key portion of the growing season.$2.0 CI872
Southeast Ice Storm
February 1994
Winter StormFebruary 8, 1994February 13, 1994Intense ice storm with extensive damage in portions of TX, OK, AR, LA, MS, AL, TN, GA, SC, NC, and VA.$6.4 CI9
Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1994
Winter StormJanuary 17, 1994January 20, 1994Winter storm affects the Southeast and Northeast regions. The states impacted include CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT and WV.$2.2 CI70
East Coast Blizzard and Severe Weather
March 1993
Winter StormMarch 11, 1993March 14, 1993The "Storm of the Century" impacts the entire Eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine. This historic storm dumped 2-4 feet of snow and caused hurricane force winds across many Eastern and Northeastern states. This caused power outages to over 10 million households. Additional impacts included numerous tornadoes across Florida causing substantial damage. This was the most destructive and costly winter storm to affect the United States (since 1980), until it was surpassed by the February 2021 winter storm and cold wave.$12.2 CI270
Northeast Winter Storm
December 1992
Winter StormDecember 10, 1992December 13, 1992Slow-moving winter storm batters northeast U.S. coast, with the New England region hardest hit. The states impacted include VA, MD, DE, PA, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA and WV.$5.5 CI19
Hurricane Gloria
September 1985
Tropical CycloneSeptember 26, 1985September 28, 1985Category 2 hurricane makes several landfalls along the eastern seaboard, affecting states from North Carolina to Maine.$2.5* CI11
Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1985
Winter StormJanuary 19, 1985January 22, 1985Extreme cold and winter storms in the Southeast, South, Southwest, Northeast, Midwest, and North$2.5* CI150
Midwest/Southeast/Northeast Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1982
Winter StormJanuary 8, 1982January 16, 1982Winter storm and cold wave affect numerous states (AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) across the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast.$2.2* CI85

โ€ Deaths associated with drought are the result of heat waves. (Not all droughts are accompanied by extreme heat waves.)

Flooding events (river basin or urban flooding from excessive rainfall) are separate from inland flood damage caused by tropical cyclone events.

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