Irene (Bear, Middletown, New Castle: hotels, homes, earthquake)

[Bac0s]

Having never experienced a hurricane in Delaware, what should we expect? It is currently projected to go directly over us Sunday afternoon. When we lived in VA, the eye of Hurricane Isabelle went over us and it was pretty nasty. Localized flooding, widespread power outages...

We're in Middletown (well, Odessa). Are power outages likely during hurricanes? Of course I'll be stocking up on toilet paper, milk, and bread.

[DelawareLiz]

Yes, there may be power outages...but Delaware is on top of things like that. I have never, in my entire life, been without power for more than 18 hours.

Flooding happens sometimes as well, but I know flooding issues have been addressed in many problem areas (including my town). Just stock up on candles, batteries, and water, and you'll be just fine. My biggest worry when I hear about a storm is losing power, if that tells you anything. No internet and no showers = beachliz is NOT a happy camper.

[daFrogMan]

No big worries. When Isabelle hit years ago we were w/o power for a week. Heard the transformers blowing all night long and as I remember, we only had 60 mph winds. If you're a boater, different story. The Chesapeake stacked up and flooded so much of the Eastern Shore, MD. We saw cars floating in the parking lots, boats pushed through the covered sheds and where we were in Summit North Marina, Bear, the floating docks were about 10" from floating away. They have since extended the poles another 10' or so. We ended staying on our boat for the week due to elec out at the house. Lost the fridge and freezer stuff. Damage, none except for the transformers.
In comparison, nothing like FL (where we are moving.....).
As long as there are no big trees leaning where you live, you should be fine, cept for maybe power outages. A couple days at a close by hotel takes care of that.
I think the earthquake today will be more of a rememberance. I hope I'm right.
As long as it doesn't come up the Delaware river, surge shouldn't be an issue.
You are well inland (I actually work there) and should be fine. However, batteries, water and gassed up car is a must.
I'm feeling the same way. Many memories of Isabelle. We should be fine.

[DelawareLiz]

No electric for a week--YIKES!!!!!!!!

[Caladium]

As far as the beach cities go, what areas are prone to flooding?

One good thing is there aren't that many huge trees. The trees there can do some damage, but not to the extent that may be seen in other cities where really heavy trees tower over older homes with older roofs.

[daFrogMan]

Got this link from a NC Coastal thread for storm surge.
Storm Surge Interactive Risk Maps

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by Caladium

As far as the beach cities go, what areas are prone to flooding?

One good thing is there aren't that many huge trees. The trees there can do some damage, but not to the extent that may be seen in other cities where really heavy trees tower over older homes with older roofs.

Low lying areas along the coastline are always prone to flooding, even in Kent County including Bowers Beach and the small fishing villages from New Castle County on down state.

Here in Kent County, our property has 6, over 100 yr. old English walnut trees bordering our lot. They are gigantic, and I do worry about those when we have storms.

[longnecker]

Originally Posted by beachliz

Yes, there may be power outages...but Delaware is on top of things like that. I have never, in my entire life, been without power for more than 18 hours.

Flooding happens sometimes as well, but I know flooding issues have been addressed in many problem areas (including my town). Just stock up on candles, batteries, and water, and you'll be just fine. My biggest worry when I hear about a storm is losing power, if that tells you anything. No internet and no showers = beachliz is NOT a happy camper.

Check for hotels with generators in your area. I know a major Rehoboth hotel gives their employees and their families rooms during emergencies so that they are ready to go.

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by beachliz

No electric for a week--YIKES!!!!!!!!

I lived in Houston when Hurricane Ike hit a few years back. We were without electricity for 10 days, and we lived within three miles of downtown. Imagine trying to sleep with overnight temps in the high 70s, humidity to match and no breeze, no hot water, not being able to cook, etc. Worst of all, imagine waking up and not being able to have coffee! "Power envy" ensued as people in various parts of the city would have their electricity restored before others.

As bad as it was, folks in the country went even longer without power. Trust me, it's not pleasant. We do not need this in the Delaware Valley!

[rdlr]

I'm not keen on 'no lectric' either

Living around Amish people, we do feel pretty stupid when our power goes out for any length of time. The Amish happily go along - business as usual.