Weather Alert

Coastal Flood Warning until SUN 2:00 AM EDT

...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT
SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Up to one foot of inundation above ground level in low-
lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.

* WHERE...In Delaware, Kent and Inland Sussex. In New Jersey,
Cumberland and Cape May.

* WHEN...Until 2 AM EDT Sunday.

* IMPACTS...At this level, flooding begins on the most
vulnerable roads in coastal and bayside communities, and along
inland tidal waterways. Some partial or full road closures are
possible.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Localized moderate tidal flooding remains
possible with the Saturday night high tide, particularly along
the backbays that remain slow to drain.

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/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
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
23/10 AM     6.6        0.9        1.2      Minor
23/10 PM     7.3        1.6        1.0      Minor
24/11 AM     6.4        0.7        0.9       None
24/11 PM     6.9        1.2        0.9      Minor
25/12 PM     6.3        0.6        0.7       None
26/12 AM     6.3        0.6        0.5       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
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
23/10 AM     5.4        0.8        1.2       None
23/10 PM     6.1        1.5        1.1      Minor
24/10 AM     5.2        0.5        0.8       None
24/11 PM     5.7        1.0        0.9       None
25/11 AM     5.3        0.7        0.8       None
25/11 PM     5.2        0.5        0.6       None

Maurice River at Bivalve
MLLW Categories - Minor 7.6 ft, Moderate 8.6 ft, Major 9.6 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
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
23/10 AM     7.1        0.8        1.2       None
23/10 PM     8.1        1.8        1.5      Minor
24/11 AM     7.1        0.8        1.1       None
24/11 PM     7.5        1.2        1.1       None
25/11 AM     7.0        0.7        1.0       None
25/11 PM     7.0        0.7        0.9       None

Great Egg Harbor Bay at Ocean City
MLLW Categories - Minor 5.3 ft, Moderate 6.3 ft, Major 7.3 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
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
23/09 AM     4.9        0.9        1.1       None
23/09 PM     5.2        1.2        0.7       None
24/09 AM     4.3        0.3        0.5       None
24/10 PM     4.7        0.7        0.4       None
25/10 AM     4.3        0.3        0.5       None
25/10 PM     4.3        0.3        0.3       None

Cape May Harbor at Cape May
MLLW Categories - Minor 6.2 ft, Moderate 7.2 ft, Major 8.2 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 1.1 ft, Moderate 2.1 ft, Major 3.1 ft

Total      Total    Departure
Day/Time    Tide       Tide     from Norm   Flood
ft MLLW    ft MHHW       ft      Impact
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
23/09 AM     5.6        0.5        0.8       None
23/09 PM     6.5        1.4        1.0      Minor
24/10 AM     5.5        0.4        0.6       None
24/10 PM     6.0        0.9        0.6       None
25/10 AM     5.6        0.5        0.7       None
25/10 PM     5.5        0.4        0.4       None

&&

Fenwick Island to fully close beach as surf worsens

Kevin Zipay
Kevin Zipay
Reporter

Kevin joined the CoastTV News team in November 2023 as a video journalist. He is a Rowan University graduate with a degree in radio television and film and a minor in sports communications. While at Rowan, Kevin worked at the campus television station, RTN, and was also a member of the Rowan radio station, 89.7 WGLS-FM.

Author email
Aug 20, 2025
Aug 20, 2025 Updated Aug 20, 2025

Close — Fenwick Island to fully close the beach as the surf worsens.

Fenwick Island to fully close the beach as the surf worsens.

FENWICK ISLAND, Del. — Rough surf and rip currents kept swimmers out of the water Wednesday in Fenwick Island, and officials say the entire beach will close Thursday as conditions worsen.

“Today we’re seeing a lot of rip currents, and there is still some heavy surf,” said Lt. Will Douds of the Fenwick Island Beach Patrol. “It’s not quite as bad as yesterday, but it is still really bad for swimmers.”

Douds said access will be restricted beyond the water on Thursday. “Tomorrow the beach will be completely closed again - not even allowing people over the dunes,” he said.

Some residents were surprised by the decision. Local resident Denee Daly said she believes the closure goes too far. “I think it’s overkill. In the decades that Fenwick island has been here, I think there’s been very rare instances that the beach itself has been closed,” she said.

Others said they understand the safety concerns but hoped for alternatives. “People should be able to walk the beach, look for shells,” said yearly vacationer Laura Fenwick.

Water — Rough surf and rip currents kept swimmers out of the water Wednesday in Fenwick Island.

Rough surf and rip currents kept swimmers out of the water Wednesday in Fenwick Island.

Despite the closure, lifeguards will remain on duty from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to keep the public informed.

Meanwhile, some residents are preparing for flooding on the bay side. Terry Hume-Milowicki, who lives nearby, said high water often cuts off her neighborhood. “The roads will be flooded, we’ll be stuck back there, and I’m just going to ride it out,” she said.

Beach patrol officials said Thursday is expected to bring the worst conditions yet.

The town will also host “Fenwick and You: Resilience, Flooding & Preparedness” from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday at Fenwick Island Town Hall. The event will feature presentations on sea level rise, flood insurance, stormwater planning and state hazard mitigation.

Kevin Zipay

Reporter

Kevin joined the CoastTV News team in November 2023 as a video journalist. He is a Rowan University graduate with a degree in radio television and film and a minor in sports communications. While at Rowan, Kevin worked at the campus television station, RTN, and was also a member of the Rowan radio station, 89.7 WGLS-FM.