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Nor’easter batters coastal Sussex County
Lewes Beach floods, Indian River Inlet dune holding up
A car makes its way through flooding from the marsh on Savannah Road in Lewes at high tide Oct. 13. The road remained open to traffic. BILL SHULL PHOTO
October 12, 2025
A nor’easter battered the Cape Region Oct. 12-13, with strong winds and lots of rain that created dangerous conditions in some places around eastern Sussex County.
Shortly after high tide about 12:30 p.m., Oct. 12, Cedar Street in Lewes was under knee-high water, forcing many people to find alternate routes or change plans entirely. About the same time, Savannah Road east of the drawbridge was closed due to flooding. Each roadway flooded again during subsequent high tides.
In Rehoboth Beach, big waves battered the beach, but that didn’t stop a lot of people from heading into town to check out the conditions.
The recent work to fortify the dune protecting Route 1 on the northern side of Indian River Inlet appeared to hold up. However, the roadway was closed at dark Oct. 13, due to flooding from the bay side.
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency activated the Delaware National Guard to assist with emerging needs posed by coastal flooding and high winds expected through Oct. 13. DEMA coordinated with state and local officials in preparation for impacts from the storm and pre-positioned National Guard assets for deployment as needed.
A no-wake zone was needed at Cedar Street and California Avenue in Lewes at high tide Oct. 13. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Pilottown Road was closed north of Park Road Oct. 13 because of high water. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Cedar Street was open, but many cars turned around rather than drive through flood waters Oct. 13. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Water from the marsh crept up the side streets onto Cedar Street at high tide Oct. 13. BILL SHULL PHOTO
This car attempted to push through the flood waters of Cedar Street in Lewes, but decided to back out after the water got too deep. NICK ROTH PHOTO
Emmanuel Cartallier wind surfs in Delaware Bay off the coast of Cape Henlopen State Park. NICK ROTH PHOTO
Pilottown Road in Lewes is closed to traffic for good reason. NICK ROTH PHOTO
A Jeep makes its way out of the flooded area of Cedar Street in Lewes. NICK ROTH PHOTO
There’s no safe way to get to this house on Lewes Beach. NICK ROTH PHOTO
Huge waves provide lots of photo ops for people in Rehoboth Beach. The storm churns up the surf and brings high winds and rain to the coast. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Wet weather doesn’t stop this gull from grabbing a Boardwalk treat in Rehoboth Beach. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Janet and Reilly Nash from Kansas City, Mo., walk down the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk. They said this was the first nor’easter they have ever seen. They said they went to church at All Saints’ Episcopal Church and people told them they had to see the waves. BILL SHULL PHOTO
A dog sticks its head out of a Tesla Cybertruck to get a look at the waves in Rehoboth Beach. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Kids from the Bellamy family from Baltimore check out the big waves in Rehoboth Beach. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Neither rain, nor wind could keep Eugene and Amy Novak of Pittsburgh, Pa., from having Thrasher’s fries. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Kids ride their bikes on a sparsely populated Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk. BILL SHULL PHOTO
The big waves are a popular backdrop for selfies in Rehoboth Beach. BILL SHULL PHOTO
At noon, Oct. 12, there was no flooding on Route 1 at the Indian River Inlet. The new dune was holding the high surf back. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Emmanuel Cartallier wind surfs in Delaware Bay off the coast of Cape Henlopen State Park. NICK ROTH PHOTO
The new playground in Lewes Canalfront Park is underwater. NICK ROTH PHOTO
The Lewes-Rehoboth Canal is creeping into Lewes Canalfront Park. NICK ROTH PHOTO
The Lewes-Rehoboth Canal is creeping into Lewes Canalfront Park. NICK ROTH PHOTO
Kite surfers take advantage of the conditions in Delaware Bay. NICK ROTH PHOTO
The Lightship Overfalls rises in its berth. NICK ROTH PHOTO
A kite surfer catches wind. NICK ROTH PHOTO
Although there is flooding in Lewes, it’s nowhere near the record. NICK ROTH PHOTO
The mobi mat on Savannah Beach in Lewes disappears into the bay. NICK ROTH PHOTO
Savannah Road in Lewes is underwater.
Houses on Lewes Beach are experiencing flooding. NICK ROTH PHOTO
So far the flooding is contained to the front yard of this Lewes Beach home. NICK ROTH PHOTO
Lots of people visit the sand-covered parking lot at Savannah Beach in Lewes to check out the conditions. NICK ROTH PHOTO
The Broadkill River creeps into Memorial Park in Milton. NICK ROTH PHOTO
These boats appear to be anchored in the middle of the river, but the water has risen over the bulkhead. NICK ROTH PHOTO
The Broadkill River rises behind Irish Eyes and the Dough Bar in Milton. NICK ROTH PHOTO
A trash can floats out into the Broadkill River in Milton. NICK ROTH PHOTO
That’s a bridge, not a dam. The Broadkill River rises behind the Milton Public Library. NICK ROTH PHOTO
Front Street is closed due to flooding in Milton. NICK ROTH PHOTO
Broadkill Beach is getting hammered with waves. NICK ROTH PHOTO
The surf cuts into the dune at Broadkill Beach. NICK ROTH PHOTO
Storm surge has pushed bay waters all the way out to Route 1 at the Rehoboth Bey Sailing Association just south of Dewey Beach. In several areas between Dewey and the Indian River Inlet, water was creeping out to cover both southbound lanes during the late-afternoon hours of Oct. 12. BERNADETTE HEARN PHOTO
A speed bump in Dewey Beach is completely underwater. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
Flooding completely takes over Read Avenue in Dewey Beach. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
Waves crash into the sand in Dewey Beach. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
The waves hammering the shore cause beach erosion in Dewey. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
Only a few people are out walking around Dewey on Oct. 12 amidst the wind and rain. Behind them, a Jeep navigates a flooded Read Avenue. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
