Natural Disaster Risk in Bethany Beach
Delaware
Risk Summary for Bethany Beach
Bethany Beach scores 7.9/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Coastal Flooding.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Bethany Beach, Delaware
Bethany Beach, in Sussex County, is a town of roughly 3,014 residents situated along the mid-Atlantic coast. Its humid subtropical climate brings moderately hot summers and mild winters with coastal storm exposure, and in particular nor'easter and tropical storm threats. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Bethany Beach residents and property owners must navigate.
Bethany Beach's overall natural disaster risk is rated 7.9/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The risk of coastal inundation tops the local hazard profile, with the area exposed to storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action during major coastal storm events. Secondary hazards include cold wave and hurricane.
Within Delaware, Bethany Beach's risk is, near the 7.7/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Sussex County identifies coastal flood as the foremost hazard, followed by cold wave and hurricane. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
Bethany Beach's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.
What this means for Bethany Beach: Coastal Flooding preparedness
- Elevate utilities and consider flood-resistant construction in low-lying shoreline areas.
- Coastal flood and storm-surge damage requires separate flood insurance, not standard homeowners coverage.
- Know your evacuation zone and monitor tidal and surge forecasts during coastal storms.
Local Factors for Bethany Beach
These city-level factors differentiate Bethany Beach from other communities in Sussex County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
3,014
Small TownGeographic Zone
Atlantic Coast
Hurricane, nor'easter & coastal flood risk
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 38.6°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 8.7/10
Coordinates
38.5631° N, 75.0708° W
Sussex County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Bethany Beach
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Bethany Beach
Other cities in Delaware
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.