GEORGETOWN — Farmers with wilting crops and homeowners with brown lawns had their prayers for precipitation answered throughout Delaware on Friday.
Stormy weather overnight Thursday continued with heavy rainfall in some parts of the state, with Harbeson reporting nearly 5 inches in a 24-hour period, according to the Delaware Environmental Observing System.
Downpours were reported predominantly in Sussex County, while central and north Delaware received much less, noted the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey.
“We’re kind of watching Sussex County, Delaware. It has been where most of the rain has fallen,” said NWS meteorologist Eric Hoeflich on Friday. “We’re seeing around 2-4 inches of rain. There is a flood warning ... out for that area, although it’s mainly for standing water on roadways and things of that nature.
“This has been much beneficial rain. We’re seeing around an inch to 2 inches in the southern half of Kent County and then a half-inch to an inch in northern Kent County.”
Newark logged just 0.08 inches of rain, while Dover’s 24-hour total was 0.72, according to the observing system.
Meanwhile, the Delmar-Gumboro area received 3.21 inches, followed by Rehoboth Beach (2.92), Seaford (2.76), Ellendale (2.68), Laurel (2.63) and Georgetown (2.41).
In Kent County, Frederica received 2.14 inches of rainfall.
Several other areas, including Milford and Millsboro, had incomplete data, so their rainfall totals were not available Friday.
The source of all the wetness was a stalled front that moved through Wednesday.
“It kind of backed up a little bit and settled over the coastal plain of Delaware. And with several waves of low pressure riding the front, we’re seeing peak periods right along that stalled boundary,” Mr. Hoeflich said. “The stalled boundary basically set up over southern Delaware.”
Rain totals will undoubtedly change, as this weather pattern is expected to linger through this morning, with off and on showers, which could be heavy, he added.
“All things considered, southern Delaware will probably end up with 3-5 inches total and maybe even some spots higher than that. And maybe 1-3 inches elsewhere,” Mr. Hoeflich said.
Friday’s weather was certainly needed, as, from June 1 through early July, Georgetown logged less than 3 inches of rainfall, according to the National Weather Service. And more than half of it — 1.59 inches — was recorded June 14.
The normal for June is just over 4 inches.
After the stormy downpours, Rehoboth Beach officials reported no related incidents. The Delaware Department of Transportation noted just a few fallen branches on back roads.
Meantime, a flood warning issued for southwest Sussex County remained in effect until 7:15 p.m. Friday.
And cooler temperatures are expected today, with highs in the mid-80s. On Sunday, another round of intense heat in the 90s begins.
Staff writer Brian Gilliland contributed to this story.
Staff writer Glenn Rolfe can be reached at grolfe@iniusa.org . Follow @glennrolfeBTBN on X.
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