Delaware hurricane guide¶

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) coordinates the state's response to hurricanes and other disasters, working with an emergency management office in each of Delaware's three counties. Storm surge and flooding are the main coastal dangers, and Delaware's evacuation zones are labeled A, B, C, and D. Sign up for the Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS), find your zone, and follow orders from your county and the Governor.

Checked on October 4, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

Counties¶

Choose your county. Each county page has its emergency numbers, evacuation zones, and shelters, and lists its cities and towns.

More places are on the way. Until yours is listed, see the official sources page or call 211.

Emergency and information numbers¶

Service	Number	Notes
Emergency	911	Police, fire, and ambulance. Call only when someone's life or property is in danger.
Delaware Emergency Management Agency office	302-659-3362	Office line in Smyrna. Not for emergencies. Also written 302-659-DEMA. The toll free number is 877-729-3362.
211 Delaware	211	Free, confidential help finding health and human services, day or night. Run by Delaware 211. It is not an emergency line.
Road and traffic conditions (DelDOT)	800-652-5600	DelDOT toll free line. In Delaware you can also call 302-760-2080. Hearing impaired callers dial 711.

Official alerts and information¶

Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS): The state's primary system for public warnings and emergency instructions. Counties and municipalities use it to send alerts by phone, text, email, or social media. Sign up before a storm. Website.
DENS sign up (Smart911): The sign up page linked from the DENS page. Free alerts by text, email, or phone. Website.

Statewide resources¶

Delaware Emergency Management Agency: Statewide news, preparedness, response, and recovery information. Website.
Know Your Zone (PrepareDE): Look up your evacuation zone. Zones A, B, C, and D cover low-lying areas that can flood or get storm surge, and your zone tells you when and how to evacuate. Website.
Evacuation information (PrepareDE): Use the routes your local officials give you and avoid shortcuts, which may be impassable. Plan for pets and for anyone with access, functional, or medical needs. Website.
DelDOT emergency evacuation routes map: DelDOT's interactive map of evacuation routes. Website.
Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT): Live traffic, traffic cameras, and the free DelDOT app for real time road information. Website.
State of Emergency Driving Restrictions (DEMA): DEMA's page for driving restrictions during a state of emergency. Website.
Delaware 211: Dial 211 or search online for food, housing, and other services. Website.

Evacuation centers¶

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

Shelters open only when officials announce them. Counties run shelters in Delaware, so follow your county and DENS alerts to learn which shelters are open. PrepareDE advises treating shelters as a last resort and arranging to stay with friends or family outside the danger area first. See your county page.

Help to evacuate¶

Your county emergency management office: If you have a disability or medical need, or no way to leave, contact your county emergency management office before a storm and ask what help it offers. See your county page. Smart911 lets you give responders extra information ahead of time. Website.

Radio, TV and weather¶

Keep a battery or hand crank radio. When power and cell service fail, radio is often the only way to hear official updates.

Official forecasts¶

National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly: Local forecasts, watches, and warnings. The office is in Mount Holly, New Jersey. Phone: 609-261-6600. Website.
National Weather Service Wakefield: The neighboring office for the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, south of Delaware. Check your county page for the office that covers you. Website.
National Hurricane Center: Official hurricane forecasts, watches, and warnings. Website.

Power, water and debris¶

Delmarva Power: Outage reporting and status for most of Delaware. Assume every downed line is live and stay away. Website.
Delaware Electric Cooperative: Outage reporting for members, mainly in Kent and Sussex counties. Assume every downed line is live and stay away. Website.

Sources¶

Checked on October 4, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.