Delaware drivers deal with flooded roads in Wilmington

December 21, 2012
  • <p><p>A Wilmington Police officer monitors traffic along S. Market St. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>A Wilmington Police officer monitors traffic along S. Market St. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>Plenty of brake light as drivers approach the high water area. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>Plenty of brake light as drivers approach the high water area. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>High water blocks the entrance to this business on S. Market St. in Wilmington. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>High water blocks the entrance to this business on S. Market St. in Wilmington. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>A long line of cars heading into Wilmington backs up on S. Market St. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>A long line of cars heading into Wilmington backs up on S. Market St. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>Drivers didn't have much trouble obeying the 35 mph speed limit on S. Market St. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>Drivers didn't have much trouble obeying the 35 mph speed limit on S. Market St. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>(Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>(Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>Drivers heading into and out of Wilmington on S. Market St. found slow going due to high water. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>Drivers heading into and out of Wilmington on S. Market St. found slow going due to high water. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>This building along 12th St. may have some drainage problems. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>This building along 12th St. may have some drainage problems. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>Most cars tried to squeeze as close as possible to the center of the road where the water was shallowest. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>Most cars tried to squeeze as close as possible to the center of the road where the water was shallowest. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>Some drivers decided to pull a u-turn instead of try to make it through the high water here on 12th Street near Wilmington's Young Prison. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>Some drivers decided to pull a u-turn instead of try to make it through the high water here on 12th Street near Wilmington's Young Prison. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>High water slowed but didn't stop this driver heading into Wilmington on 12th Street. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>High water slowed but didn't stop this driver heading into Wilmington on 12th Street. (Mark Eichmann/WHYY)</p>

It was slow going for Wilmington commuters this morning trying to get through some high water on several routes into the city.

Earlier this morning, Wilmington Police said the heavy overnight rain caused severe flooding on a number of roads in the city.  Those roads included S. Heald St., New Castle Ave., S. Market St., S. Walnut St., and E. 12th St. at I-495.  Roads into and out of the city in the Southbridge area, the S. Market St. area and E. 12th St. were completely impassable.

The water had dissipated by mid-morning to allow drivers to slowly make their way through the high water.  

The National Weather Service’s unofficial observations on rainfall totals show Newark received 2.45 inches of rain, while 1.64 inches of rain fell in Newport near Wilmington.  High winds knocked down power lines and caused some power outages in northern Delaware.  Wind gusts were recorded as high as 60 miles per hour.

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