Coastal flooding is the main concern from a significant nor’easter crawling up the East Coast this weekend.
A strong coastal storm will affect all of Delaware this weekend and into early next week, bringing high seas, steady rain and high winds. National Weather Service meteorologist Amanda Lee is most concerned about coastal flooding, and not just in Sussex County. Lee said it could be a top-five flooding event there, however.
A coastal flood warning has been issued for Oct. 12 at 8 a.m. to Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. in Kent and Sussex counties. The same warning is in effect from 11 a.m. on Oct. 12 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 13 in New Castle County.
Lee said tidal piling in Kent and Sussex counties could create a major coastal flooding problem. Tidal piling happens when strong onshore winds and swell create high water levels that do not properly drain out through multiple tide cycles.
“That will be particularly an issue in the back phase in Sussex County, where water will not be able to drain out of the inlets in Sussex County,” Lee said.
Coastal flooding forecast from the National Weather Service on Oct. 11, 2025.
The swell is anticipated to build to more than 15 feet high off of Delaware’s ocean beaches, and could approach 10 feet in the Delaware Bay. Coastal flooding risk is high all the way up through Wilmington around high tides.
ATLANTIC COAST FORECAST: Coastal flooding, gusty winds and rain follow full moon
Delaware high tides
High tides in Rehoboth Beach:
Oct. 11: 11:30 a.m.
Oct. 12: 12:17 a.m., 12:36 p.m.
Oct. 13: 1:21 a.m., 1:40 p.m.
Storm preparation
Lee said people should prepare by clearing sensitive areas to these kinads of floods and know which roads may be impassable on the river, bay and seashores. Have a way to stay updated with information from local and state authorities.
“Property owners should prepare now by relocating vehicles from low-lying and flood-prone areas, removing or securing loose objects, and clearing storm drains and gutters,” a statement from Sussex County said on Oct. 10.
Gusty winds, steady rain in Delaware weather forecast
Besides the coastal flooding, damaging winds is a concern for the entire First State. The highest winds will be felt along the Atlantic coast with gusts of up to 60 miles per hour. Wilmington and Dover could have wind gusts of around 40 miles per hour.
Steady rain also will impact the region, with coastal Sussex being forecast to have up to 2 inches of rain before the night of Oct 13. Rain totals are lighter farther north and west, but Wilmington could have an inch of rain in the same time period. Lee said the rain is forecasted over a long period of time, so flooding from rain is less of a concern.
Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Coastal flood warning issued for Delaware. High winds also on the way from nor’easter