Weather Alert

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS
EVENING TO 2 AM EDT SUNDAY...

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

* WHERE...In Delaware, Inland Sussex and Delaware Beaches. In
New Jersey, Cape May and Atlantic Coastal Cape May.

* WHEN...From 8 PM this evening to 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.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Coastal Flood Advisory means that minor tidal flooding is
expected. Minor tidal flooding often results in some road
closures. Usually, the most vulnerable roadways will flood.

Do not leave your vehicle at a location that is prone to tidal
flooding. 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.

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
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
18/10 PM     6.6        2.0        1.3      Minor
19/10 AM     4.9        0.2        1.0       None
19/11 PM     6.2        1.5        0.9      Minor
20/11 AM     4.2       -0.5        0.4       None
21/12 AM     5.8        1.2        0.6       None
21/01 PM     4.5       -0.2        0.8       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
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
18/10 PM     5.7        1.7        0.9      Minor
19/09 AM     4.2        0.2        0.8       None
19/10 PM     5.1        1.1        0.4       None
20/10 AM     3.4       -0.6        0.1       None
20/11 PM     4.7        0.7        0.1       None
21/12 PM     3.6       -0.4        0.2       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
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
18/10 PM     6.9        1.8        1.0      Minor
19/10 AM     5.2        0.1        0.7       None
19/10 PM     6.4        1.3        0.5      Minor
20/11 AM     4.4       -0.7        0.1       None
20/11 PM     6.0        0.9        0.3       None
21/12 PM     4.6       -0.5        0.6       None

&&

Horseshoe crabs and migrating shorebirds return to Delaware Bay beaches

Madeleine Overturf
Madeleine Overturf
Evening Broadcast Journalist

Madeleine has been with Draper Media since 2016, when she first worked as Sussex County Bureau Chief. She helped launch the rebranded CoastTV in 2019. As co-anchor of CoastTV News at 5 and 6, Maddie helps organize the evening newscasts and performs managerial responsibilities such as helping find and assign stories, approving scripts, and making content decisions.

Author email
May 15, 2025
May 15, 2025 Updated May 15, 2025

Horseshoe crab at the beach — The crabs can easily get turned on their backs, leaving them susceptible to seagulls, or a lack of water. Saving their lives is a simple fix.

The crabs can easily get turned on their backs, leaving them susceptible to seagulls, or a lack of water. Saving their lives is a simple fix.

BROADKILL BEACH, Del. — A unique springtime spectacle is unfolding along the Delaware Bay as thousands of horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds gather on our shoreline.

Horseshoe crabs arrive to spawn

From late April through June, and especially during May's new and full moon high tides, horseshoe crabs emerge from deep waters to spawn on the sandy shores of the bay. These ancient creatures, who are older than dinosaurs, find a perfect spawning ground at places like the Mispillion Harbor.

Shallow, calm waters and gently sloping beaches provide an ideal setting for egg-laying. The harbor’s jetty shelters the area from spring storms, creating safe conditions for hundreds of thousands of crabs.

HORSESHOE_CRABS — A unique springtime spectacle is unfolding along the Delaware Bay as thousands of horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds gather on our shoreline.

A unique springtime spectacle is unfolding along the Delaware Bay as thousands of horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds gather on our shoreline.

However, the crabs can easily get turned on their backs, leaving them susceptible to seagulls, or a lack of water. Saving their lives is a simple fix.

“You just touch them, flip them over. They’re just kind of part of the beach,” said Summer Pineda of Milton. “They do not bite. They’re so sweet and gentle. We’re just kind of in their world.”

For locals like Leland Damon of Hartly, the sight never gets old.

“Even though I’ve seen them all my life, I still think they’re kind of unique,” he said. “They remind me of fossils.”

Horseshoe crab — These ancient creatures, who are older than dinosaurs, find a perfect spawning ground at places like the Mispillion Harbor.

These ancient creatures, who are older than dinosaurs, find a perfect spawning ground at places like the Mispillion Harbor.

These crabs, which neither bite nor sting, play a crucial role in the ecosystem and human health. Their blue blood is used for biomedical research, which has drawn some controversy.

Shorebirds flock to feast

During the same window—mid-May through early June—thousands of migratory shorebirds descend upon the Delaware Bay, relying on the crab eggs as a vital food source. These birds are making their way north to the Arctic to nest and need the high-energy diet to fuel their long journey.

Among them is the red knot, a federally threatened species. By feeding on the nutrient-rich eggs, red knots can double their body weight in as little as two weeks—crucial preparation for their final migration leg.

Horseshoe crab crawl — Shallow, calm waters and gently sloping beaches provide an ideal setting for egg-laying.

Shallow, calm waters and gently sloping beaches provide an ideal setting for egg-laying.

Where to see the spectacle

Top viewing spots for both horseshoe crabs and shorebirds include the DuPont Nature Center (which also offers a live camera feed), Slaughter Beach, Kitts Hummock, and Pickering Beach near the Town of Little Creek.

Best time for crabs: High tides from May to early June, especially during full or new moons.
Best time for shorebirds: Mid-May to early June, shortly after high tide.

Visitors are reminded to respect beach access rules and to check community policies before heading out.

Madeleine Overturf

Evening Broadcast Journalist

Madeleine has been with Draper Media since 2016, when she first worked as Sussex County Bureau Chief. She helped launch the rebranded CoastTV in 2019. As co-anchor of CoastTV News at 5 and 6, Maddie helps organize the evening newscasts and performs managerial responsibilities such as helping find and assign stories, approving scripts, and making content decisions.