Hurricanes and Delaware
    The following are some of Delaware's significant tropical cyclones:

1821        The eye of the powerful Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane skimmed the Delaware
coast and passed over Cape Henlopen on Sept. 3.  A calm of 30 minutes ensued before
hurricane-force blasts returned. A storm wave, described as a "tidal wave" about six to eight feet
high, swept through the Delaware Bay causing shoreline devastation.

1878        The Great October Gale on the 23rd caused immense wind damage throughout the
state. A storm wave, about 10 feet high, riding astride the storm surge inundated the Delaware
Bay region along 30 miles of shoreline. In some places, at Collins Beach and near Woodland
Beach, the water advanced inland for more than a mile. Broadsides of hurricane force claimed
100 roofs in Wilmington. This event ranks among the state's most destructive windstorms, with
widespread tropical storm to hurricane-force gusts.

1888        A long-lasting tornado related to a hurricane tracking through Pennsylvania swept
south of Newark and into Wilmington on August 21. Four people killed. (The tornado originated
in the Washington, D.C., area and tracked almost continuously for more than 80 miles.)

1889        One of Delaware's most destructive coastal storms. A hurricane stalled off the coast
from Sept. 8-12, producing erosive and enveloping surf. Many ships lost. The storm ravaged
Lewes and other villages along the Delaware Bay. At least 32 vessels washed ashore or were
wrecked at Lewes.       

1903        Two tropical cyclones affected coastal sections. The first, on Sept. 16-17, came
ashore near Atlantic City, N.J.. Heavy squalls buffeted Delaware. Gusts at Lewes peaked at 80
mph. Then, from Oct. 8-12, a hurricane stalled off the coast. Surging tides invaded the land
causing severe erosion and immense waterfront damage.

1904        A tropical cyclone tracked through the state on Sept. 14. Winds gusted to 100 mph in
Lewes.

1933        Aug. 23. The Chesapeake and Potomac Hurricane made landfall on North Carolina's
Outer Banks. Days of strong onshore winds brought increasing tides and major coastal flooding.
Heavy rains and persistent gales caused inland flooding and uprooted thousands of trees. 13.24
inches of rain at Bridgeville (Aug. 21-24).

1936        Hurricane-force winds blasted the coast on Sept. 17 as a Category 2 hurricane swept
a short distance offshore. The Long Island, a fishing boat, sank in the Delaware Bay, with the
loss of seven crew members.

1944        The Great Atlantic Hurricane passed offshore on Sept 14. Hurricane-force winds
along the entire Delaware coast. The freighter Thomas Tracy grounded in Rehoboth Beach.
The roof of the Rehoboth Beach city hall blew off. The resort was battered by gusts up to 90
mph. Heavy rain and gales pelted inland sections.

1954        Hurricane Hazel on October 15. One of the state's worst windstorms. Hurricane-force
gusts in most areas. A 98 mph gust was recorded in Wilmington, and a 75 mph gust lashed
Lewes. The National Guard Armory in Dover was destroyed by wind. Generally, less than an
inch of rain fell throughout the state, as Hazel tracked well to the west.

1960        Hurricane Donna tracked about 75 miles offshore on Sept. 12. Hurricane-force gusts
along the coast and damaging surf. Several inches of rain and strong gales occurred throughout
Delaware.

1985        Hurricane Gloria provided more scare than wind on Sept. 27. Hurricane-force gusts
along the lower Delaware shore. Several inches of rain and gales throughout the state.

1996        Hurricane Bertha tracked through Delaware on July 12 bringing widespread gales and
several inches of rain. On Sept. 5, Hurricane Fran passed well west but still whipped most areas
with gusts of 40 to 55 mph.

1999        Hurricane Floyd's eye tracked over Fenwick Island in extreme southeastern Delaware
on Sept. 16. Gale-force winds. Epic rainfall deluged interior sections. More than 10 inches in
some places. A state calendar-day rainfall record was set at Greenwood, 10.58 inches.

2003        Hurricane Isabel on Sept. 18-19 tracked through Maryland. Gales were commonplace
in Delaware. Peak gusts of generally 50-65 mph. Widespread power outages occurred and
thousands of trees were uprooted. Isabel brought modest rainfall and minor coastal flooding, as
seaside resorts missed the brunt of the storm..
Delaware Weather Links

Delaware Emergency Management: www.dema.delaware.gov

Office of the Delaware state climatologist: www.udel.edu/leathers/stclim.html

Unisys offers maps of hurricane tracks beginning in 1851: http://weather.unisys.com
To learn more, order Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States.            
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The eye of Hurricane Floyd (1999) tracked over Fenwick Island, Delaware. The prodigious rain
that bucketed interior sections made Floyd unforgettable to many state residents. (Photo by
Rick Schwartz, author of Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States)
Hurricane Gloria in 1985 swept the Delaware shore with hurricane-force gusts,
but spared most shops serious damage, including this one in Rehoboth Beach.