Weather Alert

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

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

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

* WHEN...Until 2 AM EDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS...At this level, widespread roadway flooding occurs in
coastal and bayside communities and along inland tidal
waterways. Many roads become impassable. Some damage to
vulnerable structures may begin to occur. 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...The greatest impacts from coastal
flooding are expected with the Thursday evening high tide.
Locally major flooding impacts are possible.

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 Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service at
water.weather.gov/ahps for additional water level and flood
impact information for your local tide gauge.

&&

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

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
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
20/07 PM     6.4        1.8        1.3      Minor
21/08 AM     5.8        1.2        1.9       None
21/08 PM     8.0        3.3        2.9      Major
22/08 AM     6.4        1.8        2.4      Minor
22/09 PM     7.0        2.3        1.9     Moderate
23/09 AM     5.3        0.7        1.1       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
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
20/07 PM     5.3        1.3        0.7      Minor
21/08 AM     4.7        0.7        1.3       None
21/08 PM     6.8        2.8        2.2     Moderate
22/08 AM     5.6        1.6        2.1      Minor
22/08 PM     6.0        2.0        1.5      Minor
23/09 AM     4.5        0.5        0.7       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
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
20/07 PM     6.6        1.5        1.0      Minor
21/07 AM     5.8        0.7        1.5       None
21/08 PM     8.0        2.9        2.4     Moderate
22/08 AM     6.9        1.8        2.3      Minor
22/08 PM     7.4        2.3        1.8     Moderate
23/09 AM     5.8        0.7        1.0       None

&&

High surf forces closures at Cape Henlopen State Park

Matthew Pencek Emma Aken
Aug 19, 2025
Aug 19, 2025 Updated Aug 19, 2025

DELDOT SURF — The rough surf conditions at the Delaware Seashore State Park looking north of the Indian River Inlet. This conditions are similar to those at surf fishing areas. (DelDOT)

The rough surf conditions at the Delaware Seashore State Park looking north of the Indian River Inlet. This conditions are similar to those at surf fishing areas. (DelDOT)

LEWES, Del. - Cape Henlopen State Park announced Tuesday morning that all surf fishing drive-on crossings and swimming beaches are temporarily closed due to high surf and unsafe conditions.

Drive-on beach access closed at Cape Henlopen State Park

Drive-on beach access closed at Cape Henlopen State Park

The closures will remain in effect while conditions are monitored over the coming days. The state park said updates will be provided as soon as it is safe to reopen the areas for public use.

It follows a similar announcement by Delaware Seashore State Park on Monday that the drive-on crossings were closed at their locations, including Fenwick Island State Park. Other beaches and oceans have been restricted to swimming due to rough surf conditions, including: Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Fenwick Island and Assateague State Park.

Waves — waves at Cape Henlopen State Park

waves at Cape Henlopen State Park

Katie Simms, a Lewes local, says she's never seen the conditions this bad.

"It is really, really windy," said Simms. "I'm very cold, and I'm trying to get close to the water, but it's just so windy that it's hard to make it there."

Simms says she thinks the closures ae smart.

"I don't think anybody should be anywhere near the water," said Simms.

However, surfer BJ Hague says the big waves are a thrill.

"It's definitely scary sometimes, but once you get out there, you get used to it. You always get this adrenaline rush at first. You're like 'oh it's big, you know?' It's like the night before Christmas," said Hague.

Matthew Pencek

Morning Broadcast Journalist

Matt co-anchors CoastTV News Today Monday through Friday from 5-7 a.m. and regularly produces and anchors CoastTV News Midday at 11 a.m. He was previously the sports director at WBOC from 2015-2019.

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.