Creating Flood-Ready Communities: A Guide for Delaware Local Governments

Delaware is extremely susceptible to the dangers of flooding. It is one of only three states whose entire population lives in coastline counties, according to a census report. Flooding may be caused by hurricanes, tropical storms/depressions, nor’easters, or other weather systems that produce heavy rain. Each year, Delaware must contend with approximately 10–35 storms that cause flooding to both coastal and inland communities. Flooding in coastal communities may be intensified by storm surge and storm tide, which produce large waves and an abnormal rise of water generated by a storm’s wind. Flooding of inland areas during or after a storm may be exacerbated by poor drainage, which is often the result of development that has changed the landscape, altered the ability for water to infiltrate into the soil, and/or is adjacent to high-flood-risk areas. An article published by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), “Sea Level Rise: Delaware’s Rising Tide,” describes possible impacts of sea-level rise in the First State. It explains that Delaware is vulnerable to coastal inundation, storm surge, saltwater intrusion, tidal-wetland losses, nuisance flooding from high tides, and inland flooding from extreme precipitation—all of which will be exacerbated by the looming threats of higher rates of sea-level rise. All Delaware communities must evaluate risks, prepare, and implement plans to address flooding caused by storms and extreme precipitation, seasonal high “king” tides, and climate change—including sea-level rise. Because Delaware is the lowest state in the nation in terms of average sea level, many think that only coastal communities or towns along bodies of water (rivers, ponds, lakes, inland bays, streams, and creeks) are impacted by flooding. This is not the case. In addition to climate change, flooding can be caused by issues associated with poor or insufficient management of stormwater, floodplains, and/or drainage— including an increase in impervious surfaces due to sprawling land-use patterns and development. Flooding also impacts properties near ditches. In Delaware there are 228 individual tax-ditch organizations, which manage 2,000 miles of channels that provide benefits/protection to more than 10,000 Delawareans. Therefore, flood vulnerability impacts each jurisdiction in Delaware and heightens the need to make communities flood-ready and resilient.Funded by the Delaware Department of Transportatio