Governor Markell Declares Emergency In Kent And Sussex County
The weather is really bad for our friends in lower Delaware. Stay safe down there!
DOVER — Governor Jack Markell has declared a state of emergency for Kent County and Sussex County to better enable response to the current storm, effective at 6 p.m.
Earlier today, Gov. Markell authorized the Delaware National Guard to position heavy vehicles and personnel in a number of locations in Sussex County to be ready for any needed response to flooding overnight or Friday. In addition, the Guard delivered more than 1,000 sandbags to Sussex County for use by local governments in staving off flooding.
MJ provided us this link: Rehoboth Beach Cam
Tags: Delaware
Yes, it is really bad here. This is the 3rd night of this rain and high winds. Lost power twice, but so far not tonight. NOAA referring to this storm as “Assault on the Atlantic” (catchy, no?) is calling for wind gusts over 60 mph through Friday. Lots of flooding on back roads as well as the usual ocean-meets-bay stretch of Route 1 south of Dewey.
Living in a low area near the Lewes marshes, the road was partially submerged as I made my way home from work only to find the high tide moving the marsh up and onto the back lawn.
Stay safe, indeed.
Holding the good thought for all.
My Dad just got an automated message from the Town of Bethany Beach. The whole town is being evacuated.
You folks out east have my prayers on this one.
We are little more than a year past the trauma of evacuating for Hurricane Ike and returning to find that we had lost most everything except each other. It is my profound hope that none of you (and none of your loved ones) have to experience that sort of devastation.
We’re OK here in RB. Going out tomorrow to take some pictures of the waves and beach (or what is left of it). Surprisingly, the Purple Parrot was doing a bit of business tonight.
Now if only I could get my dog to use the commode inside.
From the pictures on delawareonline.com, there is no Rehoboth Beach anymore. Boardwalk, then ocean.
And the rainfall totals along the shore are 8.8 inches during the last 24 hours (as measured at Indian River Inlet). Wow.
Thanks RWR. What you all went through with Ike and Rita is far far far worse than Ida.
Long Neck is badly hit. Long Neck Road is local traffic only, half of the road is impassible. Fire crews active with rescue boats. Areas that are badly flooded normally flood on sunny days at high tide. Worst enemy is hidden ditches in water covered roads, many stranded vehicles in developments.
At least 5 developments cut off completely, another 3 or 4 are partially flooded, with another full day’s rain coming.
Oak Orchard area is flooding worse than normal, River Road is mostly under water, water not far from IR Fire Hall.
Anything regarding Bethany Forest across the IR Bay?
Just drove out to Woodland Beach east of Smyrna to pick someone up. Water was up to running boards. Kind of cool. If I didn’t have to work, I’d drive down to Dewey; I hear the ocean has greeted the bay.
Getting a lot of calls about property insurance issues.
Speaking of property insurance…RWR, did you have to fund your own repairs through insurance? Having been through a major earthquake, I know that insurance often barely scratches the surface.
In regards to the beach communities, are there any active Internet sites or boards providing info on what’s happening? Everything I’ve seen is 12 hours old.
Thanks.
I live in Western Sussex but looking at the house next door and across the street – I now have water front property. We are actually holding up fine, but then again, we weren’t as stupid as some of the people next door — we bought a WOODED lot and left most of it wooded – they bought a wooded lot, took out ALL the trees and now wonder why they get flooded during any type of rain even though their entire property level is now below street level.
While it looks like a swamp right now next to our driveway, our water will recede much much faster then theirs.
I saw one house totally surrounded by water near Ellendale.
We are a bit scared to see how it looks underneath the house, to be honest. Also, hoping all the trees hold up with the soft soil
The weather is God’s punishment for supporting gay marriages.
Delaware doesn’t support gay marriages. And Kent and sussex are the more conservunist parts of the state. hope everyone in slower lower is well
There is a slideshow here
http://coastalpoint.zenfolio.com/p1010229634/slideshow#h1ec34f4a
Went down about an hour ago – the beach is gone! I mean there is nothing left. About a 4 foot dropoff about 7 feet from the boardwalk. The canal next to my development is 10-12 feet higher than normal – all of the docks are under water. We’re safe unless the water rises another 20 feet.
Wow, MJ. That’s not good news.
OMG. A cedar tree fell in my backyard missing my house by 5 inches. We are under water. My nephew’s boat is sitting higher than his house, and his house has water on the first floor!
Yikes. Stay safe out there everyone.
There is some guy with a long white beard in my parking lot asking if I have two dogs and two cats. I think he said his name is Noah. Couldn’t tell for sure because of the wind.
Be careful out there, folks.
Suzanne, amazing photos.
Check out my blog for a picture of Milton – those who know Milton will be shocked.
Suzanne: I know that area well as my inlaws live off of 26 near Ocean View. Your pictures really bring home just how dangerous a storm that this is. As Progressive Mom says, those are amazing photos. I just hope that the worst is over.
Please stay safe, everybody.
PM — we were blessed — we got ALMOST enough to fund what our contractor charged us (but that is a story in and of itself — I still expect to sue the dishonest bastard). Still, the overrun was less than 10% of what we received from the insurance company.
RWR — it’s a horrible process, isn’t it? In California, earthquake policies automatically have a deductible that is 10-12% the value of your house! You can imagine what an impact that has in LA!
And the contracting vultures really come out after a natural disaster, with few protections for the homeowner, unless you have an attorney at the ready.
I’m hoping that the AG’s office will be looking very carefully at any complaints about contractors offering to make repairs down here. Why is it that these vultures come out to prey just when we’re at our very worst?
That parking lot in Milton floods when someone wets their pants.
It is, though, about two feet higher than normal. Very low there. Hope the library is alright, they were just finishing an extensive renovation.