The Indian River School District closed its schools two hours early on Monday, citing severe weather conditions throughout the area. Afternoon kindergarten was canceled for the day, while Indian River High School's band and chorus concert was rescheduled for Monday, May 19, at 7 p.m. Lord Baltimore Elementary School in Ocean View was among the buildings that lost power at various points during the day as the weather's impact spread.
State officials were in the Bethany Beach area on Monday to survey damage from the ongoing storm as pounding waves driven onshore by the wind ate away the newly constructed dune and devastated recently installed dune fencing. The most dramatic impacts from the storm included the beaching off Bethany Beach's boardwalk of a damaged research vessel that broke apart and took on water 14 miles off the coast of Rehoboth Beach earlier on Monday. The Coast Guard had evacuated the crew of the vessel by helicopter and transported them to the hospital in Salisbury, Md.
Motorists were being detoured mid-afternoon from Route 26 at White's Neck Road, near the Millville Pet Stop, due to a large tree downed across the roadway, and flooding on the area's bays and creeks expanded as high tide neared Monday afternoon and winds continued to drive floodwaters into the waterways' farthest reaches with no way for the incoming tide to escape.
Officials with the Delaware State Police, Delaware Department of Transportation and Sussex County Emergency Operations Center continued to monitor the storm mid-day Monday, and encouraged the public to use caution if traveling on area roadways during the next 12 to 24 hours. An already saturated ground combined with strong winds could easily knock over trees, obstructing or damaging roadways, they said.
“I think a major concern is going to be water on the roads and some debris, such as downed tree limbs. We want to make sure the public is aware of this, and avoids traveling if possible until the storm passes,” said Joseph L. Thomas, director of the Sussex County EOC.
Some moderate tidal flooding has been reported in the Slaughter Beach and Long Neck communities, which are prone to flooding during these events. No evacuations, however, have been ordered in those communities, nor are they necessary, county officials said. Emergency managers have not opened shelters, but are prepared to activate such facilities if it becomes necessary.
Thousands of power interruptions have occurred throughout the county as a result of the storm. Crews for both the Delaware Electric Cooperative and Delmarva Power continued their work Monday to restore electricity to those affected customers.
Delaware State Police and the Department of Transportation reported three road closures as of 1 p.m., in the Oak Orchard and Slaughter Beach areas, due to water covering the roadways.
Possible high tide flooding later Monday could prompt other closures, including Del. Route 1 in the beach area, said Tina Shockley, spokeswoman for the Delaware Department of Transportation. That will depend on this afternoon’s tide cycle, she said.
Cpl. Wes Barnett, state police spokesman, advised that if motorists must travel, they should allow extra time and avoid passing through areas that are under water.
“Most area roads are passable right now, but conditions could change as the storm continues,” Barnett said. “We have had numerous reports of downed wires, trees and tree limbs in roadways, and we also have had flooding on some streets and highways. Motorists need to use their best judgment when traveling, and they should prepare for the possibility of delays throughout this event.”
County residents are being urged to call 911 only in emergencies. Those with storm-related calls – to report downed trees or power lines, flooding or power outages – can call the EOC’s non-emergency telephone line at (302) 856-6306.
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J., issued a coastal flood warning for the Delaware beaches at 4:27 a.m. on Monday, May 12. The warning notes widespread minor tidal flooding along the entire coasts of New Jersey and Delaware, with areas of moderate tidal flooding across the southern end of New Jersey and Delaware. Mid-morning Monday, significant flooding had already been noted along Coastal Highway (Route 1) and Route 54, as well as in downtown Bethany Beach and along the area's bays and creeks.
NWS officials issued a reminder to residents and visitors to move their cars to higher ground prior to the high tide on Monday and Monday night, as low pressure over the Chesapeake Bay was expected to move slowly off the New Jersey shore later Monday, with strong east-to-northeast winds through much of the day.
The coastal flood warning will be in effect until 8 a.m. Tuesday, with strong onshore flow expected to cause widespread minor tidal flooding on the oceanfront and the adjacent back bays around the time of high tide Monday and again Monday tonight. Areas of moderate tidal flooding could occur with the higher of the two tides along the Southern New Jersey and Delaware coasts Monday tonight, they said.
The following are times of high tide and water level forecasts, referenced to mean lower low water (mllw), for points along the New Jersey and Delaware oceanfront:
For Cape May, N.J. The next high tide will occur at 3:48 p.m. Monday afternoon, with a forecast of 7.5 to 8 feet above mllw. High tide is again at 4:03 a.m. Tuesday with a forecast of around 7.5 to 8 feet above mllw, and 4:51 p.m. Tuesday with a height of 7.5 feet above mllw.
At Fenwick Island, Del., the next high tide will occur at 2:46 p.m. Monday and is forecast around 6.5 feet mllw. High tide is due again at 2:58 a.m. Tuesday and is forecast between 6.5 and 7 feet mllw, and 4:56 p.m. Tuesday afternoon with a height of 6.0 to 6.5 feet above mllw.
This type of storm is not common for the month of May, according to the NWS, and can cause inconveniences for commuters traveling to and from the barrier islands during the times of high tide. Some heavy rain is also going to be falling, with strong winds adding to the stormy conditions at the shore.
The worst of the storm was expected to be the first part of Monday.
A coastal flood warning means that flooding is imminent. Coastal residents in the warned area should be alert for rising water and take appropriate action to protect life and property, including moving vehicles to higher ground at the times of high tide.
NWS officials also issued a high wind warning mid-morning Monday that will be in effect until 4 p.m. Monday afternoon, replacing an earlier wind advisory.
Strong low pressure organizing southeast of the Delmarva Peninsula was expected to strengthen a bit more and then lift northeast Monday. Wind gusts in excess of 55 mph have occurred and are expected to continue as the low strengthens and then lifts northeast. Wind gusts in excess of 60 mph were reported in Bethany Beach.
Winds of this strength will bring down trees and some power lines, especially in any areas where the ground is saturated, they noted. Sporadic power loss had been reported throughout the Delaware beach area during Monday morning.
A high wind warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage. Residents should take suitable precautions with potential wind-blown objects.
Pick up this week's issue of the Coastal Point on May 16 and stay tuned to www.coastalpoint.com for more information and photographs of this week's storm damage.