Situation Report 1: August 1, 2008
Hurricane Strikes Rehoboth Beach, DE
Initial Damage Assessment Paints Bleak Picture
A Category 2 hurricane (Hurricane Horatio) came roaring through Rehoboth Beach last
night with the eye passing over the area about 2:15 am. The National Weather Service
(NWS) had predicted that this storm would be much further west and would likely miss
most of coastal Delaware but beginning about 2 pm yesterday afternoon, southwesterly
winds started pushing the storm east and increased the forward speed so that the eye of
the storm passed within 20 miles west of Rehoboth Beach. A hurricane warning was
posted for the Delaware coastline yesterday at 4 pm. The storm’s forward speed slowed
down to less than 10 mph and by the time it passed the town, it was estimated to be
moving at only 6 mph. The storm track was north-northwest at the time the eye was in the
area. The eye passed directly over the Midway Theater complex. Rainfall totals are
approximately 10 inches in the Rehoboth Beach area.
There are no anemometers that appear to have survived the storm, however the NWS
estimates the sustained wind speed was approximately 105 mph. Power outages are
reported from Ocean City, MD to Dover, DE. There are widespread outages at the beach
areas from the coastline to an area approximately 50 miles inland. Hurricane force winds
may have extended as far as 40 miles from the center of the storm. Tropical storm force
winds may have extended as far as 80 miles from the center of the storm.
Route 1 is reported to be full of debris with limited traffic allowed both north and south
bound from Fenwick Island to north of Five Points at Lewes, DE. Traffic is being
stopped at Five Points and at the south end of Bethany Beach and only emergency and
government vehicles are being granted access to the beach areas.
Flooding has been reported as extensive and deep particularly inland along the bay front
properties. Storm surge has been reported to be as high as 15 ft at the coastline and 8 ft
deep 200 yards inland. The passage of the storm coincided with high tide. The recent
heavy rainfall during the summer will likely exacerbate the flooding problem and extend
the duration of flooding since there will be nowhere for the water to drain. Those who
live in low lying areas should contact the local emergency managers or police to find out
if access to their home sites has been granted.
There is no water or sewer service, and at this time there are no estimates for resumption
of those services. All citizens are warned that the water systems are probably
contaminated and to boil water before drinking. Septic systems in many locations have
likely failed because of the depth of flooding. Property owners with septic systems should
seek professional inspections to certify their septic systems as safe before resuming use.
There are reports of many propane tanks being torn from their foundations or floating to
the surface if buried. Property owners should contact their propane supplier prior to
resumption of use of this service.
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It is reported that over 7,000 people sought shelter last night due to the late movement of
the storm toward the east coast. It is not clear yet, where those people went. There are
reports of buildings that might have been shelters being severely damaged. There are
reports that the roof of the Rehoboth Beach library had a roof failure and both the
Rehoboth Beach Convention Center and the Chamber of Commerce building lost part of
the roof and walls collapsed. A new shelter planned for construction in 2009 had
obviously not yet been placed in service.
Both the police and fire departments have had to seek temporary quarters as both their
buildings were damaged by the storm and both sustained extensive water damage. The
local 911 call center is currently not operating. Many cell phone towers are down and
only very limited cell phone service is available.
Very preliminary damage assessments put the building damage level at:
10% - severe damage to commercial and residential buildings
20% - moderate damage to commercial and residential buildings
25% - minor damage to commercial and residential buildings
The definitions of these damage categories are:
Severe damage – a complete or partial failure in the buildings structural system, almost
always with part of the roof involved which allows water entry
Moderate damage – no structural failure but severe building envelope loss such as roof
covering partially or completely damaged, windows, doors, walls or roofs broken or
penetrated by windborne debris, any condition that would allow water entry
Minor damage - some roof or wall covering loss, loss of roof soffits, damage to utilities
or building mechanical equipment
State and local officials are meeting today to continue damage assessments and to
determine when the federal government will be asked for assistance and for a declaration
as a federal disaster. Senator Biden will visit the area later today and has promised to
speak to the President after his visit.
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