Tropical storm warning ends at Delaware Beaches as Elsa heads northeast
The remnants from Tropical Storm Elsa aren’t quite done with Delaware.
A strong thunderstorm is expected to sweep through New Castle County on Friday evening, bringing with it wind gusts up to 60 mph, minor flooding and quarter-size hail.
Thursday night and early Friday morning, Sussex County issued several tornado warnings and experienced thunderstorms with heavy rain and strong winds through the night, which left limited damage. The tropical storm warning was canceled in the Delaware beaches and inland Sussex by 5 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
The sun even began to peek through the clouds as a few people meandered the Delaware beaches in the morning. The skies brightened even more throughout the afternoon.
TORNADOES:6 possible tornadoes in southern Delaware, eastern Maryland, National Weather Service says
The weather service reported that the storm was east of northern New Jersey at 7:30 a.m., and it continued to travel away from the region. All tropical storm watches and warnings have also been canceled.
A moderate risk of rip currents remains for Friday and Saturday. The National Weather Service discouraged people from entering the surf at this time, and as always – it’s wise to check with lifeguards before going in the water.
MORE:Stay alive: Learn to identify, avoid and survive rip currents
The National Weather Service was no longer issuing an alert for a flash flood watch, which was in effect since Thursday at 5 p.m. Still, thunderstorms and showers could continue throughout Delaware on Friday.
All counties can expect some scattered severe thunderstorms between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., according to the weather service. The southernmost part of the state is at the greatest risk.
The primary threat is damaging winds, but some small hail is possible.
The National Weather Service initially predicted rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches on the coastal plain, and up to 6 inches possible, through Friday morning.
Most areas in the region got somewhere between 1 and 3 inches of rain, and the average rainfall in Sussex County was around 2 inches between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Limited storm damage
Chris Gordy Miller, who lives on Robinsonville Road near the Lewes-Rehoboth Fire Station, said the strong winds threw her family’s trampoline over their fence, landing a couple hundred yards away.
While Miller slept through the storm, she said her husband told her “it sounded like the house might fall apart.”
Others took to Facebook early Friday morning when the blaring tornado warnings woke them, paying attention as the storm rolled over and moved toward New Jersey. Few people reported seeing any significant damage beyond hearing the roar of the wind.
Emily Lytle covers Sussex County from the inland towns to the beaches. Got a story she should tell? Contact her at [email protected] or 302-332-0370. Follow her on Twitter at @emily3lytle.