Tropical Storm Ophelia coming up the coast could cause issues in Delaware this weekend.
Winds ranging from 20-to-35 miles per hour are expected with gusts of 35-to-40 miles per hour inland and 60 miles per hour along the beaches.
Heavy rain is also in the forecast, and that’s expected to start in the overnight hours continuing through most of the day Saturday. There’s also a chance of rain on Sunday. Some areas could see up to 4 inches during the storm.
Flooding is the main issue to watch for according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Sarah Johnson.
"Right now our biggest concern is the tidal coastal flooding," said Johnson. "So anywhere near tidal waterways be at the Delaware Bay itself or any tidal waterways that flow into the Delaware that is our biggest concern."
And Johnson notes the high tide late Saturday afternoon into evening will bring flooding along the coast.
"With that high tide we are looking at near the Atlantic Coast and near the lower part of the Delaware Bay Coast flood levels could be reaching major flood levels," said Johnson."Elsewhere we are looking at minor to moderate flooding for other portions of the Delaware Coast."
Currently, Kent and Sussex Counties are under a coastal flood warning, while New Castle County is under a coastal flood advisory.
There are also high wind advisories for Kent and Sussex.
All of those advisories are in effet until 8 p.m. Saturday night.
Sussex County officials recommend residents there prepare for the potential impact of Ophelia this weekend
"There will be some rough weather for the next 24 to 36 hours, so it’s important that residents and visitors – especially people who maybe haven’t experienced a tropical system before – pay attention to the forecast and take some simple, relatively easy steps now to prepare,” Sussex County Emergency Operations Ceneter Director Joseph Thomas said in a statement. “The public should expect flooding in low-lying areas, maybe some minor wind damage, rough surf, and all those could cause road closures, downed trees, and power outages."
The rain and wind should clear out by early next week.
