UPDATE: Ocean access restricted in Rehoboth, Dewey again
Hurricane Erin is slowly tracking north, parallel to the East Coast. While it’s not expected to make landfall, the storm is already generating large waves and dangerous rip currents.
Updated 10:50 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 21:
After a one-day reprieve, officials in Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach have again closed access to the ocean. The beaches remain open, but both beach patrols are urging caution as the tide rolls in after low tide around 12:45 p.m., today. High tide is around 7:20 p.m., which means lifeguards will not be on duty for a significant portion of high tide.
The National Weather Service has issued multiple hazardous weather advisories: A rip current statement and a high surf advisory, both in effect until 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22; a wind advisory in effect until midnight Friday, Aug. 22; and a coastal flood warning is in effect until 2 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 23.
Lewes beaches remain open. Lewes Beach Patrol is monitoring the conditions, according to Giulia Kirsch, Parks and Marina administrator.
Updated 10:57 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 20:
Dewey and Rehoboth have re-opened ocean access as of Wednesday morning, Aug. 20. Due to offshore impacts of Hurricane Erin, this status may change at any time.
Swimmers should not exceed knee depth. Experienced surfers and boogie boarders may proceed beyond.
Multiple hazardous weather advisories are in place by the National Weather Service: A rip current statement and a high surf advisory, both in effect until Friday evening, Aug. 22; a wind advisory in effect from Thursday morning, Aug. 21 to midnight Friday, Aug. 22; and a coastal flood warning in effect from 5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 20 until 2 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 23.
Updated 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 19:
Area beaches remain restricted in response to high tides, big waves and strong rip currents in advance of Hurricane Erin slowly making its way up the East Coast.
For the high surf advisory, large breaking waves of up to 8 feet are expected in the surf zone on Wednesday and 6 to 10 feet expected on Thursday.
Once the storm passes through, the NWS is calling for a few straight days of sun, with temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s.
Original story from Aug. 18:
The beaches in Dewey and Rehoboth were closed by early afternoon, Aug. 18, due to high winds and rough surf.
Savannah and Johnnie Walker beaches, which are on the bay and thus don’t face the same threat of rip currents, remain open with lifeguards on duty.
The closures come ahead of Hurricane Erin, which is set to impact coastal Delaware later this week. Dangerous rip currents and high winds are expected.
