Although the City of Milford saw minimal flooding from a nor’easter off the coast over the weekend, beach areas were not quite as lucky. Roads leading to Slaughter Beach, Bowers Beach and Prime Hook Beach had areas covered by flood waters. In addition, DEMA issued a voluntary evacuation for Bowers Beach.
Waves along the coastline were up to 18 feet, leading to dune breaching and beach erosion. Milford had power outages related to the storm with power restored as quickly as possible. The coastal flood warning in Delaware ended at 8 PM on Tuesday.
The Delaware National Guard was activated October 12 to assist with needs during the storm. Magnolia Fire Company and Millsboro Fire Company were set up as reception centers with those who evacuated from Bowers in the area of Whitwell Delight Road seeking shelter at Magnolia Fire Company.
The issue with this storm was not the heavy rains initially predicted. Instead, wind gusts of 50 to 60 miles per hour caused high tides that pushed waters into smaller tributaries from the Delaware Bay. Through Tuesday, winds were gusting up to 40 and 50 miles per hour continuing to produce waves as high as 18 feet.
DEMA also warned drivers that they should not drive through high water on roadways. Water may be moving much faster than it appears and also may be significantly deeper than anticipated. In addition, consistent water flow over asphalt roads can cause road failure that may worsen as cars drive through the water. Six inches of water is enough to cause loss of control of a vehicle.
It is also important to remember that standing water on roads is not fresh water, but since it is likely from the bay, it is likely salt water. Water can also enter your engine, causing your vehicle to stall. Salt water can cause significant damage to your engine, brakes and electrical system. Newer vehicles with more computer-controlled functions are particularly vulnerable to saltwater intrusion.
Salt water can also accelerate rust and corrosion on the metal portions of your vehicle, damaging the undercarriage, brakes and fuel lines. Electrical systems can short, and paint can peel from aluminum features.
If you must drive through flood waters, drive very slowly and, if the water is above your tires, turn around and find another way to get to your destination. If you do drive through water, assume that it is salt water and rinse your vehicle as soon as possible to remove any salt residue. This can protect your undercarriage and the finish on your vehicle. Consider using a car wash with undercarriage option to get the salt from your vehicle.
The National Weather Service announced that Tropical Storm Lorenzo had formed in the central Atlantic, but that it did not appear that it would pose any threat to land.
