Natural Disaster Risk in Greenwood
Delaware
Risk Summary for Greenwood
Greenwood 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: Greenwood, Delaware
Greenwood is a town of roughly 7,918 residents in Sussex County, along the mid-Atlantic coast. The area experiences moderately hot summers and mild winters with coastal storm exposure, with nor'easter and tropical storm threats shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Greenwood.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Greenwood carries an overall risk score of 7.9/10, placing it in the high category. Coastal flood risk defines the local natural hazard environment, with sea-level rise trends gradually increasing the frequency of tidal flooding events alongside storm surge threats. The area also faces notable exposure to cold wave and hurricane.
Greenwood's risk score, near the 7.7/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Sussex County, the highest-scoring are coastal flood, cold wave, and hurricane. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, Greenwood residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for coastal flood and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.
What this means for Greenwood: Coastal Flooding preparedness
- 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.
- Elevate utilities and consider flood-resistant construction in low-lying shoreline areas.
Local Factors for Greenwood
These city-level factors differentiate Greenwood from other communities in Sussex County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
7,918
Small TownGeographic Zone
Atlantic Coast
Hurricane, nor'easter & coastal flood risk
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 38.8°
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
38.8201° N, 75.5969° 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 Greenwood
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Greenwood
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.