Sandy’s early impact on Delaware beaches a sign of things to come
One of the early concerns during the construction of the Indian River Inlet Bridge along Route 1 in Sussex County was how it would hold up to a hurricane. It has now been through two.
Flooding began late this morning causing a closing of Route 1 between Dewey and Bethany Beaches. A Delaware State Police cruiser was also in the way and was submerged by the rising flood waters. Otherwise, the bridge has no other damage. DelDot officials have said in briefings over Friday and Saturday they would decide as weather conditions change how to handle car and truck traffic on that bridge and others through the state.
Businesses along the beach communities, which are in the evacuation zone, finished boarding up their store fronts. The last benches from the boardwalks in Rehoboth were removed. The third and final day of the Sea Witch festival was cancelled. Some people still hung around to watch the surf rise and crash into the coast line with more intensity as the day went along. The high tides are after sunset this week, around 8pm.
Officials say that is the nightmare of this storm. Forecasters predict Hurricane Sandy’s current predicted track will come close enough to give Sussex County some of the strongest effects of the storm, with moderate to severe tidal flooding likely in low-lying areas, particularly along the oceanfront, Inland Bays and the Delaware Bay shoreline. Storm surges and tides could swell by as much as 8 feet, exacerbated by a full moon Monday that is already expected to cause higher-than-normal astronomical high tides. The storm is expected to last through several tide cycles from now until at least Tuesday.
There are 3 Sussex County shelters set up now. People are reminded they should be used only as a last resort.
Cape Henlopen H. S.
1250 Kings Hwy.
Lewes, DE
(Pets Accepted)
Indian River H. S.
29772 Armory Road
Dagsboro, DE
Milford M. S.
612 Lakeview Ave.
Milford, DE
(Pets Accepted)
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.