Due to Hurricane Erin, some Delaware beaches will remain closed to swimming and fishing because of dangerous high surf and rip currents.
A day after ocean access was closed in Rehoboth, Dewey and Bethany beaches due to rough surf and rip tides from Hurricane Erin, more closures were announced along the Atlantic coastline in the First State.
Here's what's closed on Aug. 22:
Cape Henlopen State Park
Closures will remain in effect for all surf fishing drive-on crossings and swimming beaches due to high surf and unsafe conditions at Cape Henlopen State Park, according to the park's Facebook page. Monitoring will continue and updates will be provided when available.
Live webcams: See what the Delaware beaches look like right now
Hurricane Erin: Delaware beaches will be replenished, but which ones and when?
Delaware Seashore State Park
All drive-on surf fishing crossings remain closed at Delaware Seashore State Park and Fenwick Island State Park, it was announced on Aug. 22.
Due to high surf and rip currents, water access is closed at Towers Ocean and Fenwick Island State Park, it was anounced. Beginning at 10:15 a.m., water access was open at South Inlet Bay Area under yellow flag conditions, however the park warned that caution needs to be exercised due to rip currents, wind and waves.
The camp store at the South Inlet Campground will be closed at least through Aug. 23 due to flooding.
When is Hurricane Erin supposed to hit Delaware?
Hurricane Erin moved out to sea and well away from the Mid-Atlantic coast. However, Delaware is still being impacted by the storm.
Delaware's Atlantic coastline is under a high risk for rip currents. Tropical storm-force gusts are possible along the Delaware coast on Aug. 22, with breaking waves up to 12 feet in the seas.
Rip currents along the Delaware beaches
Coastal flooding and dangerous rip currents will continue to be a concern on Aug. 22 despite Hurricane Erin pushing further out to sea, according to the National Weather Service.
Widespread minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected again on Aug. 22 with the greatest impacts during this evening's high tide, according to the weather service.
There will be a high risk for dangerous rip currents and a high surf advisory "that will make the ocean very hazardous and life-threatening to anyone that decides to go into the water" on Aug. 22, the weather service said. A high risk for rip currents will likely continue into Aug. 23.
During that time, seas over the open water could reach between 8 to 12 feet.
Breaking waves in the surf zone could reach 6 to 8 feet on Aug. 22 and 3 to 5 feet on Aug. 23.
Coastal flooding in parts of Delaware
The Atlantic coastline of Delaware is facing a coastal flood warning. The warning runs through 2 a.m. Aug. 23 for Sussex and Kent counties. A coastal flooding advisory was issued for New Castle County until 2 a.m. on Aug. 23.
The combination of Erin and high tides will lead to 1 to 2 feet of inundation above ground level in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways in inland Sussex County.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Hurricane Erin: Delaware beaches closed due to high surf, rip current
Comments