Coastal Flood Warning Remains in Effect for Kent and Inland Sussex
- Coastal communities in Kent and inland Sussex face persistent inundation as a coastal flood warning remains in effect until 2 PM EDT Saturday, according to the National Weather...
- Widespread roadway flooding hits coastal and bayside communities along with inland tidal waterways under current conditions.
- Emergency management officials urge residents in affected zones to monitor rising water levels and protect life and property by following local directives.
Coastal communities in Kent and inland Sussex face persistent inundation as a coastal flood warning remains in effect until 2 PM EDT Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters report one to two feet of water above ground level in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.
Roadway Impacts and High Tide Projections
Widespread roadway flooding hits coastal and bayside communities along with inland tidal waterways under current conditions. Many roads are impassable, and vulnerable structures risk sustaining damage as water levels rise. Officials warn that major tidal flooding impacts remain possible, particularly around Rehoboth Bay and the Indian River, with the most severe conditions concentrated in back bay areas. Tide gauges for the Murderkill River at Bowers Beach outline specific thresholds. Minor flood stage begins at 6.6 feet MLLW (0.9 feet MHHW), moderate flooding at 7.6 feet MLLW (1.9 feet MHHW), and major flooding at 8.6 feet MLLW (2.9 feet MHHW). Total tides reached 7.1 feet MLLW during the late evening of October 24 and are projected at 7.2 feet MLLW for the morning of October 25. Projections show total tides hitting 7.7 feet MLLW on the evening of October 25, rising to 8.0 feet MLLW on the morning of October 26 before dropping to 7.2 feet MLLW that night and 7.4 feet MLLW on the morning of October 27. Along the Delaware Bay at Lewes, minor flooding starts at 6.0 feet MLLW (1.3 feet MHHW), moderate flooding at 7.0 feet MLLW (2.3 feet MHHW), and major flooding at 8.0 feet MLLW (3.3 feet MHHW). Total tides there are tracked at 6.4 feet MLLW for the morning of October 25, 7.2 feet MLLW for the evening of October 25, 7.1 feet MLLW for the morning of October 26, 6.8 feet MLLW for the evening of October 26, and 6.5 feet MLLW for the morning of October 27.
Emergency Guidance and Preparedness
Emergency management officials urge residents in affected zones to monitor rising water levels and protect life and property by following local directives. Drivers are explicitly advised not to attempt driving through flood waters, as depths can easily be underestimated and cause severe vehicle damage or personal danger. Additional water level data and local tide gauge details are accessible via the National Water Prediction Service at https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/phi.