Weather Alert

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM TO 9 PM EDT
TUESDAY...

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

* WHERE...Kent and Inland Sussex.

* WHEN...From 3 PM to 9 PM EDT Tuesday.

* 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.

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
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
15/05 PM     6.6        0.9        0.5      Minor
16/05 AM     5.4       -0.3        0.9       None
16/06 PM     6.9        1.2        0.8      Minor
17/07 AM     5.6       -0.1        0.9       None
17/07 PM     6.8        1.1        0.7      Minor

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
--------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------
15/04 PM     5.6        1.0        0.7       None
16/05 AM     4.6       -0.0        1.0       None
16/05 PM     6.3        1.7        1.4      Minor
17/06 AM     5.0        0.3        1.2       None
17/06 PM     5.8        1.2        0.9       None

&&

Open Space Alliance raises funds to secure oldest deeded property in Lewes

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
Jul 25, 2024
Jul 25, 2024 Updated Jul 26, 2024

Fourth Street Forest

Fourth Street Forest

LEWES, Del.- With open space rapidly disappearing in Sussex County, a grassroots campaign is working to preserve nearly 30 acres of historic land right in downtown Lewes.

The Open Space Alliance is working to purchase the the Fourth Street Preserve, the oldest deeded property in Lewes. The preserve is the last open space within Lewes city limits and is home to diverse wildlife, including a bald eagle’s nest. The Open Space Alliance campaign aims to raise $8 million by September 2025 to secure this forest.

Jim Ford, Open Space Alliance Chair, emphasized the importance of preserving this area.

"It's an opportunity to just come and enjoy an area of peace and quiet, of solitude, natural habitat," Ford tells CoastTV. "This would provide all of those amenities as another asset for the community as a whole."

Campaign organizers plan to build a walking trail within the 29-acre preserve, ensuring it does not disturb wetlands, wildlife, or surrounding neighborhoods.

Campaign Co-Chair Pam Costanzi noted, "There will be no parking lots, no bathrooms, but it will be a place where people can come and really kind of get away from the traffic, from the busyness of city life."

The Open Space Alliance says it's in conversation with the University of Delaware and Cape Henlopen School District to have educational opportunities on the property as well.

Historic Significance

While the forest would be the first Urban Forest in Delaware--which Ford says the State Forestry Division is excited about--it has supreme historic significance as well.

"Originally it was about 100 acre parcel that started at about where Pilottown Road is now [...] and went all the way to Canary Creek," Ford tells CoastTV. "Since then, some of that has been developed and sold off, but these remaining 30 acres are still available for preservation, which is is goes back to 1674, the original deed issued by the Duke of York. So the historical significance of the property is just fantastic. It fits right in with everything that Lewes is all about."

Fundraising

Organizers report that property owners are cooperative and willing to sell the land to the Open Space Alliance. However, substantial fundraising efforts are necessary. Numerous events, including an Art Show on Saturday at the Inn at Canal Square are being held to raise the money needed.

"More than 30 local artists have donated their artwork that has been curated by the owner of Peninsula Gallery," says Costanzi. "So these are very respected, revered artists in our community. They're donating their artwork 100%."

The art show is on Saturday, July 27th, from 11 to 3 at the Inn at Canal Square.

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.