Flash Flood and Lightning Strike in Delaware, July 14 to 15, 2000

Thunderstorms with torrential downpours and frequent lightning caused flash flooding in the northeast part of the county. The flooding coincided with the Friday evening exodus to the shore. Doppler Radar storm total estimates indicated an excess of 4 inches of rain fell from the Ellendale area southeast through Dewey Beach. The heaviest rain fell in the Cedar Creek and Broadkill (north of Milton) Hundreds. A weather station at the Rookery Golf Course measured 12 inches of rain which appears in line with the Doppler Radar storm total estimates in the county. About a dozen vehicles became stranded in high water. Passengers were perched atop the roofs of the vehicles. Stranded motorists were sheltered at the Eagle's Nest Church and the Milton Fire Hall. Both Delaware State Routes 1 and 16 were closed due to the flooding. Delaware State Route 1 between Delaware State Route 16 and Five Points in Lewes was closed from 930 p.m. EDT on the 14th through 4 a.m. EDT on the 15th. Traffic from Delaware State Route 1 (which was backed up to Dover) was routed onto U.S. Route 113. Delaware State Route 16 was closed from U.S. Route 113 in Ellendale to Delaware State Route 1 northeast of Milton. Traffic was diverted onto Delaware State Route 5. Torrential rain also affected the shore. In Rehoboth Beach, 4.5 inches of rain fell in 90 minutes. Five major roadways were flooded. Downtown businesses suffered flood damage as the water and debris were too much for the storm drains. Water levels reached 8 inches in some stores and trash barrels in the streets were tipping over.The lightning ignited three house fires in Ellendale and Milton. One house's wiring was fried, but no serious injuries were reported. A fire truck responding to one of the fires stalled in fender deep flood waters. Other reported storm totals included 4.21 inches in Lewes, 4.00 inches in Milton, 3.16 inches in Milford, 3.00 inches in Georgetown and 2.57 inches in Greenwood.