The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane warning for the entire state of Delaware. The warning means hurricane conditions are expected to develop within 48 hours. The weather service statement says that "the chance for hurricane conditions at this time is less than or equal to 14 percent. Also, the chance for tropical storm conditions at this time is up to 82 percent" for the region including Delaware, New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, and the Maryland Eastern Shore. The state is expected to feel the most significant impacts of Hurricane Irene between late afternoon Saturday through Sunday.
Officials in the First State are taking no chances as Hurricane Irene approaches. The state of Delaware is under a state of emergency as of 6 o'clock Thursday night. Governor Jack Markell made the announcement Thursday afternoon saying the threat was "significant" as Delaware faces a storm worse that any seen in the state since the mid-1940s.
"These conditions, especially in southeast Sussex County, are ones that are rarely seen in Delaware and are potentially very dangerous," said Gov. Markell. "If this forecast holds true, we are looking at major flooding throughout the state, especially in the coastal areas. We are looking at wind damage throughout the state, again [especially] in southeast Sussex. We're looking at roads becoming impassable, rivers and streams flooding and power outages."
Immediately, Gov. Markell ordering mandatory evacuation of all visitors in Delaware's coastal areas and is asking residents who can being leaving now to do so, adding no one should be coming into the coastal areas Thursday night or Friday.
He says a mandatory evacuation of residents in coastal areas could follow Friday.
Markell defined the coastal area as the area from Fenwick Island and South Bethany Beach, north through Rehoboth Beach and Lewes, up to Slaughter Beach. That area could grow as more information about the storm track becomes available.
Markell is putting all state police officers on call during the state of emergency and is activating 15 hundred members of the Delaware National Guard, but emphasized that when the storm is at its worst first responders will likely not be able to respond to calls due to flooding and wind.
Flooding could be made worse by a pair of high tides that are scheduled during the time Delaware is feeling the effects of Irene; high tides slated to be higher than usual due to moon cycles. That will combine with a predicted storm surge of 4-7 feet along coast, and 3-5 feet in Delaware Bay along with upwards of 9-10 inches of rain. Markell also warns that once winds move above 40 miles per hour, first responders and other emergency personnel will not be able to navigate the roads safely and could even lead to closure of the bridges over the C&D Canal.
"This is why its important for people not to wait until Saturday to leave." said Markell.
The state will be setting up shelters in each county, but Markell is also urging that they be a last resort for residents.
"They'll be expected to fill quickly and people are advised to stay with family or friends or in hotels, whenever possible," said Markell.
Markell says state officials are in communication with public safety officials in New Castle County and expect to have more on the state's response there later Thursday night.
When asked about those who might consider riding out the storm despite an evacuation order, Markell said they'd be taking a "big risk".
"Anybody who thinks they've seen this drill before, the odds are they haven't because they probably weren't alive the last time this happened," said Markell. "If there's a problem, it is incredibly likely first responders will not be able to reach them."
- You can find more information on Hurricane Irene and preparations for the storm in Delaware at the following sites:
Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) DEMA's Disaster Preparedness NOAA Watches, Warnings and Advisories NOAA Hurricane Irene Watch Hurricanes and Floods: Emergency Management Sussex County Storm Information PrepareDE: Hurricane Preparedness
