Weather Alert

...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT
MONDAY...

* WHAT...Two to three feet of inundation above ground level in
low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.

* WHERE...Kent, Inland Sussex and Delaware Beaches.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...At this level, flooding may become severe enough to
cause structural damage along with widespread roadway flooding
in coastal and bayside communities, and near inland tidal
waterways. Some locations may become isolated by the flood
waters.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A strong coastal storm will impact the
region through Monday. Moderate to major coastal flood impacts
are likely. Severe beach erosion and dune breaching is
possible due to very high surf conditions. Interests along the
Atlantic coast, Delaware Bay and its tidal tributaries, back
bays, and tidal waterways should remain alert for forecast
updates regarding this significant coastal flood event.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Coastal Flood Warning means that moderate or major tidal
flooding is occurring or imminent. Be prepared for rising water
levels and take appropriate action to protect life and property.
Follow the recommendations of local emergency management
officials.

Do not drive your vehicle through flood waters. The water may be
deeper than you think it is. You will be putting yourself in
danger and your vehicle may be damaged, leading to costly
repairs.

Visit the National Water Prediction Service at
https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/phi for additional water level and
flood impact information for your local tide gauge.

&&

Time of high total tides are approximate to the nearest hour.

Murderkill River at Bowers Beach
MLLW Categories - Minor 6.6 ft, Moderate 7.6 ft, Major 8.6 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 0.9 ft, Moderate 1.9 ft, Major 2.9 ft

Total      Total    Departure
Day/Time    Tide       Tide     from Norm   Flood
ft MLLW    ft MHHW       ft      Impact
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
12/02 PM     8.7        3.0        2.2      Major
13/03 AM     8.0        2.3        3.4     Moderate
13/03 PM     8.8        3.1        2.6      Major
14/04 AM     7.0        1.3        2.5      Minor
14/05 PM     7.5        1.8        1.6      Minor
15/04 AM     6.2        0.5        2.0       None

Delaware Bay at Lewes
MLLW Categories - Minor 6.0 ft, Moderate 7.0 ft, Major 8.0 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 1.3 ft, Moderate 2.3 ft, Major 3.3 ft

Total      Total    Departure
Day/Time    Tide       Tide     from Norm   Flood
ft MLLW    ft MHHW       ft      Impact
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
12/01 PM     7.9        3.2        2.8     Moderate
13/02 AM     7.8        3.2        4.1     Moderate
13/02 PM     8.2        3.6        3.3      Major
14/03 AM     6.2        1.5        2.6      Minor
14/04 PM     6.9        2.2        2.2      Minor
15/04 AM     5.3        0.7        1.7       None

&&

Closings

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Lewes Fire Department Career Division ratifies union contract, addresses department incidents

Emma Aken
Emma Aken
Reporter

Emma Aken joined CoastTV News in July of 2024. She graduated from Penn State University in May of 2024 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business. While at Penn State, she was involved in Penn State Network News, where she grew even more passionate about the news industry. She also studied abroad in Florence, Italy.

Author email
Oct 10, 2025
Oct 10, 2025 Updated Oct 10, 2025

LEWES, Del. - The career division of the Lewes Fire Department has ratified its first union contract following more than a year of negotiations, while clarifying its stance on "recent actions or statements made by volunteer members or volunteer leadership that have been the subject of public attention."

The agreement, finalized in June 2025, comes after the division voted unanimously in May 2024 to unionize under the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 326.

In a statement sent to CoastTV News, the career division addressed recent internal incidents involving volunteer members of the department, stating that career staff had no involvement in those actions or their handling.

"The career division does not agree with or condone any of the recent actions or statements made by volunteer members or volunteer leadership that have been the subject of public attention," the statement read. "We believe these incidents should never have occurred and that they were handled improperly by volunteer management."

The career division is composed of 24 full-time firefighters and EMTs who provide emergency services to the Lewes Fire District and surrounding areas around the clock.

“Our mission remains focused on providing professional, compassionate, and reliable emergency services to the citizens and visitors of Lewes,” the statement continued. “We take great pride in our work and will continue to serve with integrity and dedication.”

The statement comes after recent controversy at the Lewes Fire Department, following former fire chief Bill Buckaloo saying the n-word while off duty at the Irish Eyes restaurant in July.

Buckaloo was originally suspended for 60 days and has since been reinstated as member of the fire department.

Prior to that, while Buckaloo was serving his fifth term as fire chief, he was involved in two other public incidents. In 2018, he was arrested by Lewes police for disorderly conduct after urinating off a dock. In 2020, while serving as assistant chief, Buckaloo was suspended for a Facebook post that included a slur aimed at a drag performer following a show in Rehoboth Beach. The post was later deleted and Buckaloo issued a public apology.

Emma Aken

Reporter

Emma Aken joined CoastTV News in July of 2024. She graduated from Penn State University in May of 2024 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business. While at Penn State, she was involved in Penn State Network News, where she grew even more passionate about the news industry. She also studied abroad in Florence, Italy.