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State Emergency Guide

Delaware Emergency Preparedness

Official emergency management contacts, disaster risks, kit checklists, and action plans for Delaware residents.

Hurricanes Tornadoes Flooding
3
FEMA Region
3
Active Risks
Severe Storms (2019)
Latest Declaration

State Emergency Management Agency

Delaware Emergency Management Agency

Sign up for your county's emergency alert system for real-time warnings. FEMA Region 3 also provides free CERT training and Ready.gov resources.

Delaware Risk Profile

Hurricanes

View full preparedness guide →
Tornadoes

View full preparedness guide →
Flooding

View full preparedness guide →

Emergency Kit Checklist

Minimum 72-hour supply. For Delaware, plan for 7 days due to hurricanes risk.

Water

  • ✓ 1 gallon per person per day (7-day supply)
  • ✓ Water purification tablets
  • ✓ Portable water filter (e.g., Sawyer, LifeStraw)
  • ✓ Collapsible water containers

Food

  • ✓ 7-day supply of non-perishables
  • ✓ Manual can opener
  • ✓ Portable camp stove + fuel
  • ✓ High-calorie energy bars

Communication

  • ✓ Battery-powered NOAA weather radio
  • ✓ Backup phone charger / power bank
  • ✓ Printed emergency contact list
  • ✓ Whistle + signal mirror

Delaware-Specific Extras

  • ✓ 7+ day water supply (storms can disrupt supply for weeks)
  • ✓ Waterproof bag for documents
  • ✓ Board-up materials or storm shutters
  • ✓ Cash (ATMs fail when power is out)
Not sure how much to store? Use our Emergency Kit Estimator or Water Storage Calculator for exact quantities.

Make Your Emergency Plan

A physical kit is only half the equation. Every household needs a written plan that everyone knows.

1

Identify two meeting places

One near home (e.g., a neighbor's driveway) and one outside your neighborhood if you can't return home.

2

Designate an out-of-state contact

It's often easier to reach someone across the country during a local emergency. Everyone calls the same number.

3

Know your shelter-in-place option

Know your evacuation zone before hurricane season. Have a destination planned, and leave early when an order is issued — never wait until the last minute.

4

Sign up for county emergency alerts

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency coordinates alerts. Visit your county's emergency management website to register for text and email warnings.

5

Practice once a year

Do a full drill — where do you go, what do you grab, how do you communicate? Muscle memory matters in a real emergency.

Critical Documents to Protect

Photo IDs and passports
Insurance policies (home, health, auto)
Birth certificates and Social Security cards
Medical records and prescription list
Bank account and financial records
Property deeds and vehicle titles
Emergency contacts and utility account numbers
Will, power of attorney, and legal documents

Store originals in a fireproof, waterproof box. Keep digital copies in a secure cloud service. Keep photocopies in your go-bag.

Resources & Tools

Preparedness Guides

Interactive Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the biggest natural disaster risks in Delaware?
Delaware faces significant risks from hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding. Residents should have emergency plans specifically addressing these hazards.
Which FEMA region is Delaware in?
Delaware is part of FEMA Region 3. Your regional FEMA office coordinates disaster response and provides preparedness resources specific to your area.
What emergency kit should Delaware residents have?
Every Delaware household should have at minimum a 72-hour emergency kit including water (1 gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, flashlight, batteries, first aid kit, medications, and important documents. Given Delaware's risk of hurricanes, consider adding 7+ day water supply (storms can disrupt supply for weeks).
What is Delaware's emergency management agency?
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency is the state agency responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness and disaster response in Delaware.
Has Delaware had recent FEMA disaster declarations?
Yes. Recent FEMA disaster declarations in Delaware include Severe Storms (2019) and Flood (2018). These declarations unlocked federal assistance for affected residents.