High Surf — Delaware Beaches, Delaware

2008-07-11 to 2008-07-16 · Delaware Beaches, Delaware

Wider weather episode

Enhanced rip currents and a pounding surf caused by swells from Hurricane Bertha caused many injuries and water rescues along the Delaware coast. The effects of Bertha started on the 11th, peaked on the 13th and 14th and slowly subsided over the next couple of days. About 55 medical emergencies were reported from surf scrapes to broken bones. Even one lifeguard was injured. In Rehoboth Beach, there were twenty-one broken ankles, fractured shoulders and dislocated knees reported. In addition, there were sixteen spinal injuries that required backboarding victims to emergency rooms. Water rescues started on the 11th in Fenwick Island as six children between the ages of 7 and 10 were caught in a rip current. Over the weekend of July 12th and 13th, about 35 bathers were rescued at Rehoboth Beach, 18 at Bethany Beach and 15 at Fenwick Island.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 124474. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.