Flooding and Coastal Flood in Delaware, October 28 to 30, 2012

Name: Flooding and Coastal Flood in Delaware, October 28 to 30, 2012
Start: 2012-10-28T07:00
End: 2012-10-30T15:22
Location: Delaware

October 28 to 30, 2012 · NWS PHI · 14 events in 5 counties and zones

5 million dollars of damage across the three counties in Delaware. 9 million in Sussex County.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 11 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $5.5 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 14

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS PHI wrote it up.

Post Tropical Storm Sandy caused an estimated $5.5 million dollars of damage across the three counties in Delaware. The damage estimates from the state were broken down to $2.8 million in New Castle County, $832,000 in Kent County and $1.9 million in Sussex County. Damages were due to tidal flooding as significant wave action resulted during multiple high tide cycles, due to increasing onshore winds prior to landfall. Damages were also due in part to inland flooding caused by excessive rainfall, as up to 10 inches of rain were reported. In addition, high winds resulted in many trees and wires coming down statewide. This created 100,000 power outages and resulted in many road closures due to downed trees and flooding. The hardest hit county was New Castle County. All power was restored by November 2nd. No direct deaths or injuries were reported in Delaware due to the storm and the overall number of traffic accidents were low because of driving restrictions.

Tropical Storm Sandy formed in the Caribbean Sea on the 22nd of October. After drifting slowly southwest into the 23rd, Sandy turned to the north and intensified to a hurricane on the 24th just before making landfall in Jamaica during that afternoon. Hurricane Sandy continued to the north and intensified to a strong category two hurricane before making landfall again in Cuba shortly after Midnight EDT on the 25th. Hurricane Sandy emerged on the other side of Cuba during the morning of the 25th and proceeded to drift northwest as a category one or two hurricane as it moved through the Bahamas on the 25th and 26th. Overnight on the 26th, Hurricane Sandy (Category 1) started to move toward the north-northeast, a motion that continued into the evening of the 28th. From there, Sandy’s motion became driven by two factors. An anomalously strong blocking ridge over the Canadian Maritimes prevented Sandy from escaping to the east. Simultaneously, an approaching and deepening middle latitude trough was about to capture Sandy. The combination of the two, turned Sandy to the north overnight on the 28th and then to the northwest on the 29th. Hurricane Sandy received one last jolt of tropical energy as it passed across the Gulf Stream during the morning of the 29th. The lowest recorded central pressure of 940 millibars (27.76 inches) occurred when Category 1 Hurricane Sandy was about 110 miles southeast of Atlantic City at 2 p.m. EDT on the 29th. As Sandy continued to move northwest and interact with the mid latitude trough, its interaction continued to make it less tropical, but did not weaken it much. Sandy continued to make a harder turn to the left (west) and made landfall in Atlantic County as a post tropical storm in Brigantine City just north of Atlantic City at 730 p.m. EDT on the 29th. The estimated minimum central pressure was 945 millibars. The lowest recorded central pressure was 945.6 millibars at the Atlantic City Marina at 734 p.m. EDT. From there, Sandy continued to weaken or fill as it moved west. At 9 p.m. EDT, the low pressure system was in western Atlantic County and continued to move west-northwest. At 11 p.m. EDT, the post tropical storm (about 954 millibars) was located in southern Chester County. Post tropical storm Sandy continued to move west-northwest and weaken. At 2 a.m. EDT on the 30th, the 962 millibar low was located near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and at 8 a.m. EDT the 979 millibar low was near Altoona, Pennsylvania. From there, the rapidly weakening low pressure system moved northwest and reached Lake Erie (993 millibars) at 8 p.m. EDT that evening and from there drifted north into Canada.

Prior to Sandy's arrival, Governor Jack Markell declared a State of Emergency and ordered a mandatory evacuation of 50,000 coastal residents in areas three quarters of a mile from the shore line and other low-lying coastal communities in Sussex, Kent, and New Castle Counties. Approximately 50,000 people evacuated. President Barack Obama also signed a federal emergency declaration for Delaware. The mandatory evacuations were ordered effective at 8 p.m. EDT on the 27th, with completion by 8 p.m. EDT on the 28th. Businesses within the mandatory evacuation zones were also ordered to close by 6 p.m. EDT on the 28th. In addition, mandatory evacuations were also ordered for some residents in Wilmington, covering the southeast portion of the city, near the Delaware River. To expedite evacuations, tolls on northbound Route 1 were suspended by the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT). However, around dawn on Sunday morning the 28th, a dune breach occurred and forced the closure of a section of Delaware Route 1 in Sussex County in both directions north of the Indian River Inlet Bridge. This closure forced residents evacuating from Bethany Beach, South Bethany, and Fenwick Island to detour inland onto secondary roads. Following the completion of evacuations, Governor Jack Markell enacted a Level 2 Driving Restriction on all Delaware roads, allowing only emergency and essential personnel access after 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the 29th. All schools and universities were closed on the 29th. Traffic managers advised that bridges over the Chesapeake and Delaware canals would be closed when winds reached 50 miles per hour in the area. In addition to these preparations, several shelters were opened throughout the state, including two each in New Castle and Kent Counties, with three in Sussex County. On the 30th, the governor reduced driving restrictions to level 1: for safety, emergency or business purposes only. On the 31st, service resumed on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and state parks reopened. On November 1st, the University of Delaware resumed classes and DART buses were back in service. There were still about thirty roadways that were still closed.

In New Castle County, evacuations occurred as far north along the Delaware River as the southeast part of Wilmington. The worst tidal flooding occurred south of Port Penn and affected Augustine Beach the hardest. Dozens of trees were uprooted in Wilmington. About 35 roads were closed because of flooding or high wind. Most of them were near the Delaware Bay including Delaware State Route 9. In Kent County, duning withstood the tide and wave action. Nevertheless, both Kitts Hummock and Bower Beach lost several feet of sand and cliffs as high as four feet. Woodland Beach was flooded. About forty roads were closed because of flooding or high wind.

Sussex County was hit hard by tidal flooding and wave action. Waves at Bethany Beach reached 12 feet. Delaware State Route 1 south of Dewey Beach remained closed until November 4th. The dune breach brought 4 to 6 feet of sand onto the roadway and one approach road in the area of Indian River Inlet was destroyed. During the height of the storm Rehoboth and Dewey Beach were under water. All roads leading in and out were impassable. Prime Hook Beach was also impassable. Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island were hit the hardest along the coast. Tidal flooding also closed several roadways in Oak Orchard starting with the morning high tide on the 28th. Tidal flooding also affected Lewes. Trees were uprooted in Georgetown and a roof collapsed in Greenwood. About forty roadways were closed in the county and both the Cedar Creek Drawbridge and Fowler Beach Road were expected to be closed indefinitely. The annual |Rehoboth Beach Halloween bash was cancelled.

In the Lower Delaware Bay, minor tidal flooding started during the high tide cycle on the morning of the 28th, with some moderate tidal flooding during the high tide cycle on the evening of the 28th. In Upper Delaware Bay and tidal sections of the Delaware River, some minor tidal flooding occurred during the evening high tide cycle on the 28th, with moderate (upper Delaware Bay) tidal flooding occurred during the one overnight high tide cycle on the 29th as Sandy moved westward. The storm surge averaged 4 to 5 feet. In the Delaware Bay and into the lower tidal Delaware River, the high tide at Reedy Point (New Castle County) reached 9.1 feet above mean lower low water during the evening high tide on the 29th. It was the second highest tide on record, the record is 9.2 feet above mean lower low water set during the April 16, 2011 nor easter. Some lesser but still moderate tidal flooding occurred with the high tide cycle during the middle of the day on the 30th. The high tide at Breakwater Harbor (Sussex County) reached 8.71 feet above mean lower low water during the morning high tide on the 29th. This is the third highest tide on record, the record is 9.2 feet above mean lower low water set during the March 6, 1962 nor'easter. Each subsequent high tide cycle had lower peaks.

Heavy rain fell across the state as Sandy approached and moved over the region. This made it easier for shallow rooted and leafed trees to be uprooted and it also complicated the tidal flooding. Event rainfall totals ranged from around 5 inches in northern parts of the state to around 10 inches in southern areas. The steady rain associated with Sandy spread into Delaware during the day on the 28th and slowly progressed north. The heaviest rain fell overnight on the 28th into the early evening of the 29th. The rain ended during the middle of the day on the 30th.

Peak wind gusts included 67 mph in Stones Throw (New Castle County), 66 mph at Breakwater Harbor (Sussex County), 59 mph in Reeves Crossing (Kent County), Appoquinimink (New Castle County) and Lewes (Sussex County), 58 mph at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 16 (Sussex County), 56 mph at the New Castle County Airport (New Castle County), 54 mph at the Dover Air Force Base (Kent County), 50 mph at the Georgetown Airport (Sussex County) and 46 mph in Cedar Creek (Sussex County). Strong winds overspread the state during the morning of the 29th, with high winds occurring during the late afternoon and evening of the 29th. Winds quickly diminished overnight and were relatively light by sunrise on the 30th.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Oct 28, 5:31 AM EST, 1 hour 29 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 28, 5:31 AM EST, 1 hour 29 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
631 AM EDT SUN OCT 28 2012

.SYNOPSIS...
SANDY OFF THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST WILL TURN NORTHWEST AND INTENSIFY
PRIOR TO SLAMMING THROUGH THE NEW JERSEY COAST LATE MONDAY EVENING.
IT WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON OUR REGION MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT
BEFORE WEAKENING OVER PENNSYLVANIA LATER TUESDAY. THEREAFTER...WHILE
STILL INFLUENCING OUR WEATHER IT CONTINUES TO WEAKEN NORTHWARD
INTO SOUTHEAST CANADA BY THE WEEKEND.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
SANDY CONTINUES TO APPROACH FROM THE SOUTH TODAY. SHOWERS WELL
AHEAD OF THE SYSTEM HAVE ALREADY REACHED DELAWARE AND SRN NJ EARLY
THIS MORNING. MOISTURE WILL CONTINUE TO STREAM NORTHWARD WITH
SANDY AND POPS STEADILY INCREASE TODAY. OVERALL QPF TODAY WILL
RANGE FROM A TENTH OF AN INCH ACROSS THE FAR NORTH TO UP TO AN
INCH OVER SRN DELAWARE. TEMPERATURES TODAY RATHER STEADY IN THE
50S OR LOW 60S. WINDS SLOWLY INCREASE THROUGH THE DAY REACHING 10
TO 15 KTS NORTH/WEST AND 20 TO 25 KTS SOUTH/EAST GUSTS UP TO 10
KTS HIGHER.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 AM MONDAY/...
STEADY RAINS AND STRONGER WINDS ARRIVE TONIGHT WHICH WILL BE THE
BEGINNINGS OF THE STRONGEST PART OF SANDY. WINDS GUSTS BY MON
MORNING WILL MAKE IT RATHER DANGEROUS TO BE OUT...SO GET THOSE
LAST MINUTE CHORES DONE ON SUNDAY. WIND GUSTS 35 TO 45 MPH
SOUTH/EAST BY AROUND DAWN MONDAY. RAINFALL ONE-QUARTER INCH FAR
NORTH TO 2-3 INCHES FAR SOUTH. COASTAL FLOODING AT TIMES OF HIGH
TIDE. FLASH FLOODING INLAND MOSTLY CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN AREAS.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
NOT MUCH TO SAY REGARDING HOW THE FORECAST WAS ARRIVED AT...ALL
THE MODELS ARE IN INCREASING AGREEMENT. TIMING IS MAY SUBJECT TO
ERROR.

SANDY WILL SLAM ASHORE PER TPC TRACK /LOOKS TO US AS NORTHERN OR
CENTRAL NJ COAST 10 PM TO MIDNIGHT EDT MONDAY/ WITH MAJOR
DISRUPTIVE IMPACT ON OUR REGION MONDAY INTO EARLY TUESDAY WITH
HYDRO...POWER OUTAGES AND DEBRIS CLEANUP ISSUES PROBABLY LINGERING
MUCH OF THE REST OF THE WEEK EVEN AS A SEASONABLY COOL PATTERN
FOLLOWS.

CONCENTRATED ON SANDY THIS SHIFT WITH LITTLE IN THE WAY OF GRID
UPDATES AFTER 12Z WED.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT AT THE TOP OF OUR HOMEPAGE HIGHLIGHTS
SUGGESTED PRE STORM ACTIONS AND LINKS TO OTHER HAZARD MITIGATING
ACTIONS.

HIGH WIND WARNING: BASED ON NCEP MODEL BL WINDS...AND NHC TCM
WINDS...CONVERTED TO A HIGH WIND WARNING 12Z MONDAY - 13Z TUESDAY...
EMPHASIZING 15Z MON-06Z TUE. THERE WILL BE A PERIOD OF N-NW G
55-65 KTS BETWEEN 00Z-06Z NEAR THE EDGE OF THE EXCEEDINGLY TIGHT
GRADIENT AHEAD OF THE TRACK OF SANDY. 06Z NAM HAS 11MB 3 HRLY FALLS
JUST AHEAD OF SANDY WITH 12MB 3HR PRES RISES JUST BEHIND IT AT 21Z
FM E PA TO E OF NJ MONDAY EVE! GFS HAS A 53 MB FALL RISE COUPLET
IN 6 HRS MOVING WWD ACROSS NNJ AT 00Z/30!

TUE MORNING AFTER 13Z...SLY GUSTS 40-45 KTS POSSIBLE BUT MAINLY KACY
TO KDOV EASTWARD. NOT CONFIDENT ON MUCH WIND PBLM TUESDAY AFTERNOON
AS SANDY WEAKENS RAPIDLY LOOPING AROUND CENTRAL PA N MD BEFORE
HEADING NNE LATE IN THE DAY. ITS POSSIBLE OUR FCST ON MONDAY MIGHT
ADJUST THE END TIME OF THE WARNING BASED ON MODEL TRENDS AND SANDYS
INLAND LOCATION.

&&

.AVIATION /10Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS FOR KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG,
KILG, KMIV, KACY AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

STEADILY DIMINISHING CONDITIONS TODAY AND TONIGHT AS SANDY
ARRIVES. CIGS/VSBYS WHICH ARE VFR EARLY SUNDAY MORNING WILL TUNE
MVFR THIS MORNING AND THEN FURTHER DETERIORATE TO IFR BY LATE
THIS AFTERNOON. NORTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 15 TO 25 KTS BY
EVENING AND REMAIN GUSTY 30-35 KTS OVERNIGHT.

OUTLOOK...
MONDAY...VFR CIGS OCNLY IFR CONDS IN SQUALLY RAINS WITH OCNL NNE
GUSTS 35-45KTS. THERE WILL PROBABLY BE A BRIEF PERIOD OF N OR NW
WIND GUSTS 50-60KT IN THE 00Z-06Z MONDAY EVENING TIME FRAME WITH
SANDYS PASSAGE. LLWS WITH 2000 FT WINDS 60 TO 70 KTS!

AFTER SANDYS PASSAGE INTO E PA LATE MON NIGHT WIND TURNS E ACROSS
THE NORTH AND TO THE SOUTH IN THE PHL-ACY REGION SOUTHWARD WITH G
30-45 KT.

TUESDAY...DIMINISHING WIND WITH MVFR CONDS POSSIBLY BRIEFLY IFR IN
LEFTOVER SHOWERS AND SE TO S FLOW. SLY GUSTS TO 45 KT STILL POSSIBLE
IN SNJ AND DE IN THE MORNING.

TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY...GRADUALLY IMPROVING CONDITIONS WITH
MAINLY VFR FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY.

&&

.MARINE...
MARINE FLAGS NOT CHANGED MUCH...THE STORM WARNING FLAG WAS PUSHED
BACK A FEW HOURS. WINDS/SEAS STEADILY INCREASE TODAY WITH THE
APPROACH OF SANDY. RUSH ANY FINAL PREPARATIONS TO COMPLETION EARLY
TODAY SINCE GALE FORCE GUSTS WILL ARRIVE ALONG THE OCEAN AND DEL
BAY BY THIS AFTERNOON.

OUTLOOK...
STORM FORCE WINDS WITH HURRICANE G65-70 KT POSSIBLE MONDAY AFTN/EVE...
ESPECIALLY OFF DELAWARE! TSTM POSSIBLE IN THE NNJ COASTAL WATERS
IN THE 00Z-03Z TIME FRAME JUST AHD OF SANDY! SLY GUST WINDS TO 50
KT TUE MORNING DIMINISH LATE DAY. SEAS DROP TO LESS THAN 5 FT IN
THE ATLC WATERS BY NOV 1.

SEAS WILL PROBABLY BRIEFLY REACH 25 FT FOR A TIME LATE MONDAY AFTN/
EVE. AN EASTERLY SWELL OF 15 FT AT 15 SECONDS IS MODELED INTO OUR
COASTS ON MONDAY WITH THE WIND WAVE ON TOP! THAT IS ALOT OF
ENERGY...MUCH MORE SO THAN A SHORTER PERIOD SWELL.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
HYDRO FLOOD WATCH STATEMENT WAS ADJUSTED WITH HIGH CONFIDENCE
SUPPORT FROM NCEP ENSEMBLES. EMPHASIS ON LARGE RAINFALLS PER
MULTIPLE SUCCESSIVE CYCLES OF SREF AND GEFS PROB FOR 4 INCHES IN
48 HRS OF 80 TO 100 PCT PHL-ACY SWD. TREMENDOUS FGEN IS THE FOCUS
FOR HEAVY RAIN...ALONG AND LEFT OF TRACK OF SANDY.

AM EXPECTING WIDESPREAD 5 TO 10 INCHES IN SNJ TO SE PA DE AND MD
WITH ISOLATED 1 FOOT. RAINFALL ITSELF WILL DETERMINE RIVER FLOODING.

TENTATIVELY OUR BIGGEST PBLMS S NJ/DE AND SE PA THROUGH PHILADELPHIA!
SCHUYLKILL AT NORRISTOWN AND POTTSTOWN SHOULD FLOOD AS TOO THE
MILLSTONE RIVER AT BLACKWELLS MILLS AND THE RANCOCAS AT PEMBERTON.

NESHAMINY AT LANGHORNE AND CHADDS FORD DE ON THE BRANDYWINE CREEK
ARE PEGGING MAJOR FLOOD POTENTIAL WITH A WHOLE PUNCH OF OTHERS
MODELED MINOR TO MDT AND THIS WITHOUT THE ACTUAL RAIN.

WHILE THE FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FOR OUR ENTIRE FORECAST AREA FROM
800 PM SUNDAY THROUGH 600 PM TUESDAY THE PRIMARY INTENSE RAIN
WILL BE MONDAY-MONDAY EVENING WITH AN EXPECTATION OF FLASH FLOODING
IN THE PHL ACY REGION SOUTHWARD WITH AT LEAST TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES.
THEREAFTER IT MORPHS INTO LARGER MAINSTREAM FLOODING FOR TUESDAY
THROUGH MUCH OF THE WEEK. ONE TO 1.5 INCH SQUALLY BANDS OF INTENSE
SHOWERS MON AFTN/EVE!

LEAF CLOGGED STORM DRAINS WILL AID THE POOR DRAINAGE EXCESSES.

&&

.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
THE TRACK AND PROGRESS OF SANDY WILL DETERMINE THE MAGNITUDE OF
COASTAL FLOODING IN OUR REGION. THE WORST OF THE COASTAL FLOODING
WILL BE TO THE NORTH OF SANDY'S LANDFALL. EXPECTING A 7 FT SURGE
VCNTY SANDY HOOK MONDAY EVENING AT HIGH TIDE!

A 15 SECOND 15 FT EASTERLY SWELL WILL BE POUNDING THE BEACHES
MONDAY!

VERY LONG DURATION AND LIFE THREATENING FLOOD EVENT IN NNJ. FCST
BASED ON COMBO OF ETSS... ESTOFS AND NHC PSURGE.

FLOOD OF RECORD LOOKS LIKELY AT SHOOK N OF SANDYS TRACK IN THE
POUNDING NE FLOW. AM EXPECTING A 10.5 TO 12.0 MLLW EVENT THERE.
THAT IS A 6 TO 7 FOOT SURGE...WELL OVER PRIOR FLOOD OF RECORD
/DONNA 10.1 SEPT 12 1960/ AND WILL PROBABLY COINCIDE WITH THE HIGH
TIDE. THIS WOULD PROBABLY BE DEVASTATING FOR PARTS OF NNJ REGION.
IN ANY CASE WILL CALL IT A LIKELY FLOOD OF RECORD IN THE STATEMENT
UNLESS OTHER TRACK GUIDANCE CHALLENGES THIS EXPECTATION.

TO ESCAPE THE SEVERITY AT SANDY HOOK...SANDY EITHER NEEDS TO GO
NORTH OF SANDY HOOK...ACCELERATE INLAND PRIOR TO 6 PM OR BE
WEAKER BY 10 TO 20 MB.

SMALL NOTE TODAY WITH LITTLE RAIN ON THE COAST...BLOWING SAND
WILL BE A PROBLEM ON THE NE FLOW GUSTY TO 35 KTS.

TIDAL DE: CFW BUT CONFIDENCE ON THE ACTUAL STORM TIDE IS BELOW
AVERAGE.

COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOONS AND NIGHTS
FOR MD E SHORE ON GUSTY SWLY FLOW...ESPECIALLY CAMBRIDGE AREA.

&&

.CLIMATE...
RECORD DAILY RAINFALL EXPECTED MONDAY.

HERE ARE THE PREVIOUS RECORDS FOR 8/29.
ACY 2.33 IN 1908
PHL 1.72 IN 1953
ILG 2.56 IN 1953
ABE 1.72 IN 1953
TTN 3.11 IN 1973
GED 1.50 IN 2003
RDG 2.35 IN 1953
MPO 1.52 IN 1972 MAY NOT RAIN THAT HEAVILY THERE IN MPO.

DAILY RER TODAY ON 8/28
GED 2.06 IN 2009
ACY 2.21 IN 2009

&&

.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...HIGH WIND WARNING FROM 8 AM MONDAY TO 9 AM EDT TUESDAY FOR
     PAZ054-055-060>062-067>071.
     FLOOD WATCH FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON FOR
     PAZ054-055-060>062-067>071.
     COASTAL FLOOD WARNING FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EDT
     TUESDAY FOR PAZ069>071.
NJ...HIGH WIND WARNING FROM 8 AM MONDAY TO 9 AM EDT TUESDAY FOR
     NJZ001-007>010-012>027.
     FLOOD WATCH FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON FOR
     NJZ001-007>010-012>027.
     COASTAL FLOOD WARNING FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO MIDNIGHT EDT
     MONDAY NIGHT FOR NJZ012>014-020>027.
     COASTAL FLOOD WARNING FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EDT
     TUESDAY FOR NJZ015>019.
DE...HIGH WIND WARNING FROM 8 AM MONDAY TO 9 AM EDT TUESDAY FOR
     DEZ001>004.
     FLOOD WATCH FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON FOR
     DEZ001>004.
     COASTAL FLOOD WARNING FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO MIDNIGHT EDT
     MONDAY NIGHT FOR DEZ002>004.
     COASTAL FLOOD WARNING FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EDT
     TUESDAY FOR DEZ001.
MD...HIGH WIND WARNING FROM 8 AM MONDAY TO 9 AM EDT TUESDAY FOR
     MDZ008-012-015-019-020.
     FLOOD WATCH FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON FOR
     MDZ008-012-015-019-020.
     COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY FROM 3 PM MONDAY TO 2 AM EDT WEDNESDAY
     FOR MDZ008-012-015-019-020.
MARINE...STORM WARNING FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM EDT TUESDAY FOR
     ANZ430-431-450>455.

&&

SYNOPSIS...DRAG 632
NEAR TERM...O'HARA
SHORT TERM...O'HARA
LONG TERM...DRAG 632
AVIATION...DRAG/O'HARA 632
MARINE...DRAG/O'HARA 632
HYDROLOGY...632
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...632
CLIMATE...632

Hazardous weather outlook, Oct 28, 3:17 AM EST, 3 hours 43 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
417 AM EDT SUN OCT 28 2012

NJZ001-007>010-PAZ054-055-060>062-067-068-290830-
SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON-SOMERSET-CARBON-MONROE-BERKS-LEHIGH-
NORTHAMPTON-CHESTER-MONTGOMERY-
417 AM EDT SUN OCT 28 2012

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY
AFTERNOON...
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM MONDAY TO 9 AM EDT
TUESDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN NEW
JERSEY...NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY...EAST CENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA...NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA AND SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH.
   HIGH WIND WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

DEZ002>004-NJZ012>014-020>027-290830-
KENT-INLAND SUSSEX-DELAWARE BEACHES-MIDDLESEX-WESTERN MONMOUTH-
EASTERN MONMOUTH-OCEAN-CUMBERLAND-ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY-
ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY-COASTAL ATLANTIC-COASTAL OCEAN-
SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON-
417 AM EDT SUN OCT 28 2012

...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
MIDNIGHT EDT MONDAY NIGHT...
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY
AFTERNOON...
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM MONDAY TO 9 AM EDT
TUESDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL DELAWARE...SOUTHERN
DELAWARE...CENTRAL NEW JERSEY...NORTHERN NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHERN
NEW JERSEY.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   COASTAL FLOOD WARNING.
   FLOOD WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   COASTAL FLOOD WARNING.
   FLOOD WATCH.
   HIGH WIND WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

DEZ001-NJZ015>019-PAZ069>071-290830-
NEW CASTLE-MERCER-SALEM-GLOUCESTER-CAMDEN-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-
BUCKS-DELAWARE-PHILADELPHIA-
417 AM EDT SUN OCT 28 2012

...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM
EDT TUESDAY...
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY
AFTERNOON...
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM MONDAY TO 9 AM EDT
TUESDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN DELAWARE...CENTRAL
NEW JERSEY...SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   COASTAL FLOOD WARNING.
   FLOOD WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   COASTAL FLOOD WARNING.
   FLOOD WATCH.
   HIGH WIND WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

MDZ008-012-015-019-020-290830-
CECIL-KENT MD-QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT-CAROLINE-
417 AM EDT SUN OCT 28 2012

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY
AFTERNOON...
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM MONDAY TO 9 AM EDT
TUESDAY...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM MONDAY TO 2 AM EDT
WEDNESDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST MARYLAND.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLOOD WATCH.
   HIGH WIND WARNING.
   COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

ANZ430-431-450>455-290830-
DELAWARE BAY WATERS NORTH OF EAST POINT NJ TO SLAUGHTER BEACH DE-
DELAWARE BAY WATERS SOUTH OF EAST POINT NJ TO SLAUGHTER BEACH DE-
COASTAL WATERS FROM SANDY HOOK TO MANASQUAN INLET NJ OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM MANASQUAN INLET TO LITTLE EGG INLET NJ OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM LITTLE EGG INLET TO GREAT EGG INLET NJ OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM GREAT EGG INLET TO CAPE MAY NJ OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE MAY NJ TO CAPE HENLOPEN DE OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE HENLOPEN TO FENWICK ISLAND DE OUT 20 NM-
417 AM EDT SUN OCT 28 2012

...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM EDT
TUESDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS AND
DELAWARE BAY WATERS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   STORM WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   STORM WARNING.

HURRICANE GUSTS TO 65 OR 70 KNOTS POSSIBLE LATE MONDAY OR MONDAY
NIGHT.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 coastal flood, 4 high wind, 3 high surf, 3 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

High Surf, Delaware Beaches

When: October 28, 7:00 AM EST to October 30, 5:00 AM EST
Where: Delaware Beaches forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 38.683, -75.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Surf, Inland Sussex

When: October 28, 7:00 AM EST to October 30, 5:00 AM EST
Where: Inland Sussex forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 38.683, -75.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Coastal Flood, Delaware Beaches

When: October 28, 6:00 PM EST to October 29, 9:00 PM EST
Where: Delaware Beaches forecast zone
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: WLON
Coordinates: 38.683, -75.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Coastal Flood, Inland Sussex

When: October 28, 6:00 PM EST to October 29, 11:00 PM EST
Where: Inland Sussex forecast zone
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: WLON
Coordinates: 38.683, -75.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Surf, Kent

When: October 29, 7:00 AM EST to October 30, 5:00 AM EST
Where: Kent forecast zone
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 39.096, -75.505 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Sussex

When: October 29, 9:00 AM EST to October 30, 3:22 PM EST
Where: Sussex County, 2.47 mi ESE of Fenwick Is to 7.42 mi ENE of Pilottown
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.454, -75.009

The heavy rain that fell across Sussex County not only caused poor drainage and creek flooding, but exacerbated the tidal flooding along the Delaware Bay. Three roadways were flooded in Selbyville. The culvert over the Bunting Branch is expected to be closed until 2013. Evacuations occurred along the Nanticoke and Broad Creeks. Forty roadways were closed because of either flooding or high winds. The Nanticoke Creek at Bridgeville was above its 8 foot flood stage from 203 a.m. EDT through 422 p.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 8.25 feet at 915 a.m. EDT on the 30th. Event precipitation totals included 10.20 inches in Georgetown, 9.55 inches in Milford and 9.49 inches in Indian River Acres.

Flood, New Castle

When: October 29, 9:42 AM EST to October 30, 10:43 AM EST
Where: New Castle County, 0.58 mi WNW of Delaneys Corner to 3.29 mi ESE of Flemings Lndg
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.303, -75.760

The heavy rain that fell across New Castle County not only caused poor drainage and creek flooding, but exacerbated the tidal flooding along the Delaware River and Bay. Thirty-four roadways were closed because of either flooding or high winds. Water rescues occurred in Odessa. The Christina River at Cooch's Bridge had moderate flooding and was above its 10.5 foot flood stage from 1042 a.m. EDT on the 29th through 408 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 12.35 feet at 730 p.m. EDT on the 29th. The White Clay Creek at Delaware Park had moderate flooding and was above its 13 foot flood stage from 410 p.m EDT on the 29th through 341 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 15.28 feet at 815 p.m. EDT on the 29th. The Red Clay Creek at Stanton had moderate flooding and was above its 15 foot flood stage from 239 p.m. EDT on the 29th through 245 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 17.02 feet at 700 p.m. EDT on the 29th. The Brandywine Creek at Wilmington was above its 16.5 foot flood stage from 747 a.m. EDT through 1143 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 16.69 feet at 800 a.m. EDT. Event precipitation totals included 8.33 inches in Delaney Corner, 7.65 inches in Newark, 6.88 inches in Bear and 5.01 inches at the New Castle County Airport.

Flood, Kent

When: October 29, 10:00 AM EST to October 30, 5:00 AM EST
Where: Kent County, 4.28 mi SSE of Big Stone Beach to 0.28 mi E of Woodland Beach
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.947, -75.289

The heavy rain that fell across Kent County not only caused poor drainage and creek flooding, but exacerbated the tidal flooding along the Delaware Bay. The Saint Jones River flooded in Dover, but no homes were damaged. Forty roadways were closed either due to flooding or high winds. A couple of vehicles were submerged. Event precipitation totals included 9.14 inches in Dover, 8.47 inches at the Dover Air Force Base and 7.96 inches in Smyrna.

High Wind, Delaware Beaches

When: October 29, 2:00 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Delaware Beaches forecast zone
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: WLON
Coordinates: 38.683, -75.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Inland Sussex

When: October 29, 3:00 PM EST to 11:00 PM EST
Where: Inland Sussex forecast zone
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.683, -75.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, New Castle

When: October 29, 4:00 PM EST to October 30, 12:00 AM EST
Where: New Castle forecast zone
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 39.578, -75.639 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Kent

When: October 29, 4:00 PM EST to 9:00 PM EST
Where: Kent forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $132,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 39.096, -75.505 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Coastal Flood, Kent

When: October 29, 9:00 PM EST to October 30, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Kent forecast zone
Property damage: $700,000
Reported by: WLON
Coordinates: 39.096, -75.505 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Coastal Flood, New Castle

When: October 30, 12:00 AM EST to 1:00 PM EST
Where: New Castle forecast zone
Property damage: $2.3 million
Reported by: WLON
Coordinates: 39.578, -75.639 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

High Surf: Large waves breaking on the shore that caused damage, erosion or casualties.
Coastal Flood: Flooding of coastal land by the sea, from storm surge, onshore wind or high tides.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Delaware in 2012 Every state in 2012 This day in weather history Warnings in Delaware, October 2012

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 418168, 418169, 417504, 417505, 418170, 417492, 417491, 417493, 417497, 417496, 417494, 417495, 417507, 417506.