Tropical Storm Fay To Swamp MD, Delaware Beaches; Flood Warnings

OCEAN CITY, MD — A tropical storm warning was issued for all of Delaware's Atlantic beaches, while Ocean City, Maryland, is under a flash flood warning and a beach hazards alert Friday as Tropical Storm Fay moves along the Eastern Shore with 60-mph winds. So a beach weekend is largely a washout this weekend in those areas.

The National Hurricane Center, in its most recent briefing on the weather event, said the storm is expected to move northeastward or north-northeastward along the mid-Atlantic coast through Friday night.

As of 8 a.m. Friday, 2.5 to 4 inches of rain had already fallen in Ocean City, where the National Weather Service said flash flooding was under way or expected to begin shortly.

"Fay is expected to produce 2 to 4 inches of rain with isolated maxima of 7 inches along and near the track from the lower Maryland Eastern Shore and Delaware northward into New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, southeast New York, and southern New England," the NHC forecast said. "These rains may result in flash flooding where the heaviest amounts occur. Widespread river flooding is not expected at this time.

"Tropical storm conditions are expected along portions of the mid-Atlantic and northeast coast today and tonight, and a tropical storm warning is in effect for the coasts of Delaware, New
Jersey, New York and Connecticut, including Long Island."

The Weather Channel said the mid-Atlantic coast can expect heavy bands of rain and poor beach conditions, including dangerous rip currents.

A flash flood warning was set to expire at 9:15 a.m. for Worcester County, including Ocean City, Berlin, Cape Isle Of Wight, Ocean Pines, Ocean City Municipality and West Ocean City.

A special marine warning is in place for coastal waters from Fenwick Island, Delaware, to Parramore Island, Virginia.

A flood advisory is in effect until 10:15 a.m. for Wicomico County and central Worcester County in southeastern Maryland.

A flash flood watch continues for parts of southeast Maryland and southeast Virginia, including Dorchester, inland Worcester, Maryland beaches, Somerset and Wicomico, along with Accomack in Virginia until noon Friday.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected Friday as Tropical Storm Fay tracks near the Mid-Atlantic coast. Rain amounts of 1 to 4 inches are possible in the watch area. With recent heavy rains in
portions of the watch area, additional rain of these amounts could cause flash flooding.

Rapid rises on rivers and creeks are possible, along with flooding in low lying and poor drainage areas, the NWS said.

There is also a high risk of rip currents Friday at beaches.

Here is what to expect in Delaware:

• A tropical storm warning means tropical storm-force winds are expected somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours in Delaware.
• Peak wind forecast: 30-40 mph with gusts to 45 mph. Potential for wind 39 to 60 mph
• Last minute efforts to protect property should now be complete. The area remains subject to limited wind.
• Stay within your shelter keeping informed of the latest tornado situation.
• A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions.
• Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings.

Here's the weekend weather forecast for the Eastern Shore:

Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2pm, then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 82. Northeast wind 13 to 18 mph becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. West wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 11 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 9 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 6 to 11 mph.