DELMARVA - Though snow didn't start 2023 off with intense weather as it did the year prior, one of the year's first big weather events took place in April, when a tornado touched down in western Sussex County, killing one man in Greenwood. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado was an EF-3, the first of its category in the state since 1961 and the most intense tornado ever reported in Sussex County.
Initial reports from state agencies indicate that the tornado cut a 14 mile path of destruction from Bridgeville to Ellendale, with widespread damage reported throughout western Sussex County. Courtesy Delaware Emergency Management Agency.
The storm destroyed roofs, blew out windows, downed power lines and toppled trees. Just before it touched down, a Sussex Academy couple's prom photos were photobombed by the storm in a viral moment.
Storm cleanup included neighbors gathering to help one another remove debris and rebuild, though it also included reflection from state agencies looking to better understand why some governmental emergency alerts were not received by residents. They also looked at ways to better prepare for disasters and the aftermath of providing information and aid to those in need, as some were frustrated at the difficulty of getting through resource phone lines and government responses.
A house in Bridgeville on the morning of April 2 with most of its roof blown off.
A few months later, summer approached Delmarva along with lingering clouds of smoke brought on by wildfires that were raging in Canada. Climate change was a topic of contribution, as experts explained how its impacts in one part of the world could have downstream impacts on the health and well-being of people elsewhere.
Certain parts of Delaware reached code maroon levels in early June, causing health officials to urge Delawareans to stay inside, especially those at higher risk for complications due to other health concerns.
Smoke and haze from Canadian wildfires covered Sussex County on June 1.
In late September, Tropical Storm Ophelia hit Delmarva, bringing heavy rains, winds, storm surge and tidal flooding that contributed to beach erosion along the coast, leaving dunes with drops of over 6 feet in some areas.
Though stormwatchers gathered in Rehoboth Beach, Lewes and other coastal towns to check out the waves and beach foam, many areas including Oak Orchard, Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach saw great flooding that closed many roads, including Route 1.
Roads in Oak Orchard were closed due to flooding that began the night of Sept. 22.