The following is a list of tropical cyclones that affected the U.S. state of Delaware. Since reliable records began, no tropical cyclone has struck the state while maintaining hurricane intensity, and only two storms since 1851 caused hurricane-force winds in the state. The state often experiences the direct effects of landfalling North Atlantic tropical cyclones and from the remnants of some Pacific storms, such as rainfall or strong winds, as well as the effects of storms that remain offshore, such as rip currents or heavy surf. Since 1749, at least 111 tropical cyclones, some of which had become extratropical, have affected the state, including 21 which passed over the state.
List of tropical cyclones
Pre-1900 October 21, 1749 – A hurricane impacted the Mid-Atlantic, and impacts were observed in Delaware, but it's unclear at what strength the storm was when it impacted the state. Fall, 1783 – Nine large ships crashed near Cape Henlopen during a gale, killing several people. September 2, 1785 – A hurricane caused 181 deaths in the state. Whether or not it made landfall is unknown. September 3–5, 1815 – A tropical storm passed over extreme southeastern Delaware. Effects, if any, are unknown. September 3, 1821 – The eye of the Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane moved directly over Cape Henlopen for 30 minutes. August 17, 1830 – A hurricane that passed to the east of the state capsized three ships along the Delaware capes. August 28–31, 1839 – Several ships were washed ashore in Lewes during a hurricane that paralleled the East Coast of the United States. September 8, 1846 – Rough seas and troubled shipping in the Delaware Bay were caused by a hurricane offshore. October 13, 1846 – A hurricane crossed over northwestern Delaware, with its powerful winds toppling the steeple of a church in New Castle. The hurricane's storm surge, which was considered the worst in 70 years, flooded lowlands in the northern portion of the state. July 18, 1850 – Rough seas were reported along the Delaware Bay due to a hurricane passing to the west of the state. August 4, 1850 – A hurricane crossed the state, causing gale-force winds along the coast. September 8, 1850 – Many ships reported calls of distress due to powerful winds from a hurricane. August 20, 1856 – A tropical storm paralleled the coastline of the Delmarva Peninsula, though impact, if any, is unknown. September 28, 1861 – After weakening from a hurricane, a tropical storm moved northward through Delaware. Effects are unknown. September 19, 1863 – A tropical storm crossed the state from south to north. Effects are unknown. October 28, 1872 – A tropical storm crossed the state, with no known effects. September 29, 1874 – With winds of , a tropical storm moved across Delaware. October 5, 1877 – An extratropical storm, once a Category 3 hurricane, crossed the state, causing several ship wrecks in the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. October 23, 1878 – The Gale of 1878, which made landfall on North Carolina, brought hurricane-force winds to the entire state of Delaware. The storm dropped over of rainfall in the northern portion of the state, flooding portions of Wilmington. The winds and rain from the storm damaged or destroyed many houses statewide. The flooding washed out railroads, roads, and bridges, and destroyed many carriages in Dover. Crop damage was severe, as well. The strong winds wrecked four ships, in total killing 14. A storm surge in Lewes drowned four when they couldn't escape the rising waters. Beach erosion was severe, as well. Across Delaware, the hurricane killed 18 and caused $45,000 in damage (1878 USD, $1 million 2008 USD). It is one of only three storms to bring hurricane-force winds to the state. August 18, 1879 – A Category 2 hurricane paralleled the Delmarva Peninsula after striking North Carolina, though effects, if any, are unknown. September 23, 1882 – A tropical storm crossed over southeastern Delaware. Impact, if any, is unknown. June 23, 1886 – A tropical depression moved across the state, with no known impact. September 11, 1888 – An extratropical storm crossed the state. September 9–12, 1889 – After moving northwestward for much of its life, a large hurricane approached the East Coast of the United States, moved southwestward, and dissipated to the east of Virginia. The hurricane caused severe waves and a powerful storm surge, damaging life guard stations and wrecking or washing 31 vessels ashore. The death toll "would probably exceed 40", while damage totaled $570,000 (1889 USD, $13.6 million 2008 USD). October 10, 1894 – A hurricane passed to the southeast of the state. October 23–26, 1897 – A tropical storm moving northward prompted officials to issue hurricane warnings from North Carolina through New York, though the storm unexpectedly executed a loop and moved out to sea.
1900–1949 September 16, 1903 – The Vagabond Hurricane paralleled the Delmarva Peninsula coastline and made landfall on southern New Jersey, bringing Category 1 hurricane-force winds to Delaware. It is one of only three storms to bring hurricane-force winds to the state. The hurricane washed a schooner ashore, killing five. September 15, 1904 – A tropical storm became extratropical as it moved across the state, killing eight people when a tugboat capsized. October 24, 1923 – Once a tropical storm in the Caribbean, an extratropical storm moved northwestward through Delaware, causing no known damage. August 24, 1933 – After making landfall on the Outer Banks, the 1933 Chesapeake Potomac hurricane passed through Virginia and Maryland. Higher than normal tides washed out about of beaches along the Delaware coastline, while strong winds caused $150,000 in damage (1933 USD, $2.5 million 2008 USD). September 18, 1936 – A Category 2 hurricane paralleled the Delmarva Peninsula, causing higher than usual tides at Lewes. September 21, 1938 – The New England Hurricane of 1938 produced moderate to heavy amounts of precipitation across the entire state. August 20, 1939 – The remnants of a hurricane that struck the Florida Panhandle dropped heavy rainfall across the state. October 1, 1943 – A tropical storm that made landfall on Maryland passed over western Delaware, though effects, if any, are unknown. August 3, 1944 – A tropical storm crossed the state, causing no known effects. September 14, 1944 – The 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane paralleled the East Coast of the United States just offshore, causing damage to 1,800 homes and 850 other buildings. No fatalities were reported in the state.
1950–1974 September 1, 1952 – Tropical Storm Able passed a short distance to the northwest of the state. Damage, if any, is unknown. August 31 & September 11, 1954 – Hurricanes Carol and Edna paralleled the Delmarva Peninsula offshore, causing no known damage. October 15, 1954 – Hurricane Hazel passed to the west of the state, bringing wind gusts of over . The hurricane causes at least one death in the state. August 1955 – Hurricanes Connie and Diane passed to the west of the state during the month, bringing over of rain to the Philadelphia metropolitan area and causing record-breaking flooding. September 19, 1955 – Hurricane Ione made landfall in North Carolina, with its outer moisture producing light rainfall across the state. September 28, 1956 – The remnants of Hurricane Flossy dropped light rainfall along the coastline. August 29, 1958 – Hurricane Daisy remained offshore, though caused rough seas along the coast. July 30, 1960 – Tropical Storm Brenda crossed over southeastern Delaware. Effects, if any, are unknown. September 12, 1960 – Hurricane Donna passed to the east of the state, causing hurricane-force gusts, above normal tides, strong surf, and storm surge to the coastline. September 15, 1961 – An unnamed tropical storm moved across the state. Damage, if any, is unknown. September 21, 1961 – Hurricane Esther moved northward through the western Atlantic Ocean, causing heavy rains, rough seas, and a strong storm surge of . The waves produced coastal flooding along the Maryland and Delaware coastline. October 29, 1963 – Hurricane Ginny produced trace precipitation in the state. September 14, 1964 – Tropical Storm Dora caused above-normal tides and light rain to Delaware.
October 1964 – Moisture from Hurricane Hilda produced light amounts of precipitation across the state. October 17, 1964 – The remnants of Hurricane Isbell dropped light rainfall throughout the state. September 16, 1967 – Hurricane Doria made landfall in Virginia from the east, causing winds of up to with gusts of in Indian River Bay in Delaware. The hurricane also caused tides of above normal. August 20, 1969 – Passing to the south of the state as a tropical depression, former Hurricane Camille dropped moderate precipitation peaking at in Georgetown. September 9, 1969 – Hurricane Gerda attained major hurricane status well to the east of the state, though its outer rainbands resulted in light to moderate precipitation across the state. August 28, 1971 – Tropical Storm Doria moved through the state, dropping rainfall of up to in Wilmington and causing high tides. October 1, 1971 – Hurricane Ginger made landfall on North Carolina, with its remnants producing light rainfall in Delaware. June 22, 1972 – Tropical Storm Agnes passed to the east of the state, dropping moderate amounts of rainfall of up to in Middletown and causing higher than normal tides. The storm caused light damage and one death in Delaware. September 3, 1972 – Tropical Storm Carrie passed well to the east of the state, with its outer rainbands dropping moderate rainfall across much of southern Delaware.
1975–1999 September 24, 1975 – Hurricane Eloise became an extratropical frontal low over Virginia, though its tropical moisture dropped over of rainfall in the northern portion of the state. August 9, 1976 – Hurricane Belle paralleled the Delmarva Peninsula, prompting officials to issue hurricane warnings for the Delaware coastline. The core of the hurricane passed slightly to the east of the state, and consequentially produced lighter winds and less rainfall than expected but still a powerful storm. September 6, 1979 – Tropical Storm David passed to the west of the state, causing high tides and up to of rain in Wilmington. The tornado outbreak caused by David extended into Delaware. One such tornado damaged a few homes and injured five in New Castle County. July 1, 1981 – Tropical Storm Bret moved ashore along the Delmarva Peninsula and produced light rainfall in Delaware. November 15, 1981 – A subtropical storm slowly moved through the western Atlantic, causing higher than normal tides along the Delaware coastline. September 30, 1983 – Tropical Storm Dean produced light rainfall in southeastern Delaware when it made landfall in eastern Virginia. October 1983 – The remnants of Hurricane Tico dropped light rainfall across the state.
July 26, 1985 – The outer bands of Hurricane Bob produced light rainfall of around in the northern portion of the state. August 19, 1985 – The remnants of Hurricane Danny dropped up to of rain in southeastern Delaware. September 24, 1985 – While paralleling the state, Tropical Storm Henri dropped light rainfall of around near the coast. September 27, 1985 – Hurricane Gloria passed to the east of the state, causing hurricane-force wind gusts and moderate amounts of rainfall. The hurricane caused significant beach erosion along the coast. August 18, 1986 – Hurricane Charley paralleled the Mid-Atlantic coastline offshore, producing hurricane-force wind gusts and light rainfall in Delaware. September 1987 – Tropical Depression Nine dropped light precipitation in the state. August 29, 1988 – Tropical Depression Chris produced light rainfall across Delaware, though damage, if any, is unknown. July 1989 – Moisture from Tropical Storm Allison produced up to of rain in northern Delaware.