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Contradicting predictions, Hermine leaves Delaware beaches intact

DNREC

Tropical Storm Hermine was expected to cause significant beach erosion in Delaware, but experts said the effects of the storm are minimal.

“The water was flooding across the beach because the tide was so high, but the erosion on the beach itself was really quite minimal,” said Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Shoreline and Waterway Administrator Tony Pratt. “I was happy that we got away from the storm with as little damage as we did. There was some loss of sand; the dunes were fine.” 

Pratt surveyed Rehoboth, Dewey, Bethany and South Bethany Beach and said they are all doing well; he also examined beaches while the storm was occurring and said he was pleased to see the forecast was not accurate. No beach repair costs are anticipated in Delaware.

“The storm did not materialize to the degree we thought it might,” Pratt said. “The wind was less volume, the waves were not as large..."

The National Weather Service said the storm went much further east than expected - limiting its impact locally. Meteorologist Mike Gorse said the First State was spared the significant beach erosion called for in the original forecasts for the area.

“I think most people were probably relieved it wasn’t that bad," Gorse said. "The forecast was not very good. But I think, at least, it wasn’t the worst-case scenario that it was looking like several days ago where it was supposed to come a lot closer to the coast, which would have been a lot more impactful to the coastal communities. Since it was further east, the weather conditions were a lot more calm and tranquil compared to what it originally was looking like.”