Delaware News

NCC Officials Urge Residents Not to Drive After Dark Due to Flood Risk

Delaware Emergency Management Agency | Department of Safety and Homeland Security | Department of Transportation | New Castle County | News | Weather | Date Posted: Tuesday, January 9, 2024



Risks can lurk from unseen hazards in floodwaters of unknown depth.

New Castle Emergency Mgt.

NEW CASTLE, Del. — New Castle County’s Office of Emergency Management and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency are urging residents to avoid driving after dark because of the expected heavy rain tonight and the risks from flooding. The National Weather Service has forecast periods of intense and heavy rain with high winds for this evening, which could cause small stream, river flooding, and coastal flooding – especially in the upper Delaware Bay.

The National Weather Service is currently forecasting the Delaware Bay at Reedy Point to crest at 9.1 feet, near the record of 9.24 feet set on April 16, 2011. Currently, no evacuations are planned, but officials expect Delaware City to be temporarily inaccessible for a period.

New Castle Emergency Mgt.

 

Flooding at night is very dangerous because it is harder to see the water level, the speed of the current, and any obstacles or hazards in the way. Each year, flooding causes more deaths than any other storm-related hazard. Many flood deaths occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood waters.

About 75 percent of flash-flood deaths occur at night. Half of deaths result when people in automobiles or other vehicles proceed into water of unknown depth and are swept away by the force of the water. Many deaths also occur when motorists drive around road barricades that clearly indicate that the road is washed out ahead. Flood water is dangerous for both cars and pedestrians: just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

State and county emergency agencies are closely monitoring weather and road conditions and will issue emergency notifications and Wireless Emergency Alerts if needed. Everyone is urged to stay informed through radio, TV, or social media, and follow instructions from officials. Please evacuate if told to do so, or if you are in a flash flood prone area.

Do not walk or drive through flood waters, as they can be fast-moving, contaminated, or electrically charged. Stay off bridges over fast-moving water and move to higher ground or a higher floor if possible. Stay where you are until the flood waters recede and it is safe to leave.

The Delaware Department of Transportation is also asking everyone to report flooded roads or other debris and downed power lines by contacting #77 from their mobile phone.

Flood Severity Terms

  • Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television.
  • Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
  • Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
  • Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.

ABOUT DEMA

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is the lead state agency for coordination of comprehensive emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services to save lives, protect Delaware’s economic base and reduce the impact of emergencies. DEMA is a division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and authorized by Delaware Code.

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NCC Officials Urge Residents Not to Drive After Dark Due to Flood Risk

Delaware Emergency Management Agency | Department of Safety and Homeland Security | Department of Transportation | New Castle County | News | Weather | Date Posted: Tuesday, January 9, 2024



Risks can lurk from unseen hazards in floodwaters of unknown depth.

New Castle Emergency Mgt.

NEW CASTLE, Del. — New Castle County’s Office of Emergency Management and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency are urging residents to avoid driving after dark because of the expected heavy rain tonight and the risks from flooding. The National Weather Service has forecast periods of intense and heavy rain with high winds for this evening, which could cause small stream, river flooding, and coastal flooding – especially in the upper Delaware Bay.

The National Weather Service is currently forecasting the Delaware Bay at Reedy Point to crest at 9.1 feet, near the record of 9.24 feet set on April 16, 2011. Currently, no evacuations are planned, but officials expect Delaware City to be temporarily inaccessible for a period.

New Castle Emergency Mgt.

 

Flooding at night is very dangerous because it is harder to see the water level, the speed of the current, and any obstacles or hazards in the way. Each year, flooding causes more deaths than any other storm-related hazard. Many flood deaths occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood waters.

About 75 percent of flash-flood deaths occur at night. Half of deaths result when people in automobiles or other vehicles proceed into water of unknown depth and are swept away by the force of the water. Many deaths also occur when motorists drive around road barricades that clearly indicate that the road is washed out ahead. Flood water is dangerous for both cars and pedestrians: just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

State and county emergency agencies are closely monitoring weather and road conditions and will issue emergency notifications and Wireless Emergency Alerts if needed. Everyone is urged to stay informed through radio, TV, or social media, and follow instructions from officials. Please evacuate if told to do so, or if you are in a flash flood prone area.

Do not walk or drive through flood waters, as they can be fast-moving, contaminated, or electrically charged. Stay off bridges over fast-moving water and move to higher ground or a higher floor if possible. Stay where you are until the flood waters recede and it is safe to leave.

The Delaware Department of Transportation is also asking everyone to report flooded roads or other debris and downed power lines by contacting #77 from their mobile phone.

Flood Severity Terms

  • Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television.
  • Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
  • Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
  • Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.

ABOUT DEMA

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is the lead state agency for coordination of comprehensive emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services to save lives, protect Delaware’s economic base and reduce the impact of emergencies. DEMA is a division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and authorized by Delaware Code.

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , ,


A graphic of a storm

Stay apprised in real time by email of hazardous weather conditions in Delaware when a news release posts on news.delaware.gov concerning events like snow, ice, blizzards or hurricanes.

Here you can subscribe to future weather updates.