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UPDATE: Hurricane Jose briefly closes Indian River bridge

Route 1 reopens between Dewey and Bethany
September 19, 2017

Story Location:
Conquest Road
Rehoboth Beach, DE
United States

Storm surge from Hurricane Jose has breached the dunes, temporarily closing Route 1 between Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach. 

UPDATE: 1 P.M., SEPT. 19

Crews with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, collaborating with the Delaware Department of Transportation, have closed off the water flow to the breach. DNREC spokesman Michael Globetti said staff with the Shoreline and Waterway Management Section have used onsite sand to create two lines of dune ridges to prevent overwash getting through from the next high tide.

“The goal is to close the breach through the night until weather conditions calm down before attempting to fully repair the breach,” Globetti said.

UPDATE: 12 P.M., SEPT. 19

Route 1 between Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach reopened around noon, Sept. 19.

Officials with DelDOT announced the road closure shortly after 9 a.m., Sept. 19, after the breach occurred near Conquest Road in Delaware Seashore State Park.

“We're working with DNREC on addressing the breach and getting that solved,” said DelDOT spokesman C.R. McLeod. “Hopefully we can get it addressed before that next high tide to prevent any extended closure.”

McLeod said Route 1 flooding came from the ocean, not the bay.

“Part of the issue was also the high tide this morning,” he said. “It was completely covered earlier. As high tide ended, the water has started to recede.”

In case Route 1 closes again due to flooding or the evening high tide, motorists should avoid the area and follow detour routes on routes 26, 113 and 24 around Rehoboth and Indian River bays.

UPDATE: 9:30 A.M., SEPT. 19

The center of Hurricane Jose, a Category 1 storm with sustained winds about 75 mph, is expected to pass well off the Delmarva peninsula Sept. 19 as it moves northeast along the coast.

Forecasters expect 20-30 mph coastal winds with gusts up to 45 mph in the coming days, and electric outages and property damage are possible. Storm surge up to 2 feet above normal is expected to cause flooding in vulnerable coastal areas.

Coastal Delaware is under a coastal flood warning until 1 a.m., Sept. 20, and a high surf advisory until 6 p.m., Sept. 19. The hurricane is expected to produce offshore waves up to 15 feet, while breaking waves along the coast could reach up to 10 feet.

“These are strong waves,” Rehoboth Beach Patrol Captain Kent Buckson said Sept. 18, when Rehoboth Beach was under a red flag condition as 6-foot waves broke on the shore. “There are much more difficult, dangerous waves and conditions because of the surge. It’s nothing to be playing around with.”

In anticipation of rough surf and dangerous rip currents, beach patrols in Dewey and Rehoboth said Sept. 18 the ocean would likely be closed to swimmers until the storm passes.

Minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected, especially at high tide. The next high tide in Rehoboth is at 8 p.m., Sept. 19, followed by high tide in Lewes at 9 p.m. For other high tides, go to weather.gov/phi/tides.

For current weather forecasts, go to weather.gov.

 

Editor’s note: This story has been updated.

road closures

To report travel and traffic-related issues, dial #77 or call 302-659-4600 or 800-324-8379. To check road conditions, download DelDOT's smartphone app, go to www.deldot.gov or listen to WTMC 1380 AM.

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