Nor’easter brings coastal flooding to Delaware beaches

LEWES, Del. — A weekend nor’easter battered the Delaware coast with strong winds and heavy rain, flooding streets and neighborhoods in the coastal town of Lewes.

Tide levels rose higher than forecast, pushing floodwaters into residential areas and across major roadways. Parking lots and intersections were transformed into shallow rivers after hours of wind-driven rain.

Emergency officials are urging residents to avoid floodwaters as another high tide is expected Monday evening.

“Please do not drive through the floodwaters — it ruins cars,” said Chief Robert Stephens of the Lewes Fire Department. “If you do get stuck in floodwaters, call 911. Do not get out of your vehicle and try to walk, because if there’s an open pothole or sewer, you could fall into that.”

Some residents relocated their vehicles to higher ground as a precaution. No injuries have been reported as of Monday afternoon.

The storm, part of a larger weather system affecting much of the Northeast.