Flash Flood — New Castle, Delaware

2003-09-15 to 2003-09-16 · near North Portion, New Castle, Delaware

Wider weather episode

Remnant moisture from Tropical Storm Henri produced copious amounts of rain during the early morning of the 15th across northern New Castle County and hit Mill Creek Hundred in the northwest part of the county the hardest. Thunderstorms with torrential downpours moved from south to north across the same areas and produced one to ten inches of rain across the region with the heaviest amounts around Hockessin. The worst flood damage occurred in the Glenville area of Mill Creek Hundred where 194 homes suffered flood damage. Numerous people were rescued from trapped vehicles. People were rescued from their flooded homes, including one person who was rescued from his roof by helicopter. In the Glenville area, residents were evacuated to Brandywine Springs Elementary School. Near Hockessin, most of the historic Wooddale Covered Bridge was washed away by the Red Clay Creek. Near Prices Corner, chemicals stored at the Ametek Chemical building were washed away into the flood waters. The Red Clay Creek at Wooddale had the highest recorded crest on record when it crested at 17.27 feet at 1230 p.m. EDT on the 15th. Flood stage is 5.5 feet. The creek was above flood stage from 643 a.m. EDT on the 15th through 1134 p.m. EDT on the 16th. Farther downstream at Stanton, the creek rose above the gage house. The White Clay Creek at Delaware Park had its 4th highest crest of record when it crested at 16.78 feet at 345 p.m. EDT on the 15th. Flood stage is 13 feet. The creek was above its flood stage from 650 a.m. EDT through 1044 p.m. EDT on the 15th. The Christina River at Coochs Bridge was above its 9 foot flood stage from 757 a.m. EDT through 455 p.m. EDT on the 15th. It crested at 11.57 feet at 130 p.m. EDT. The Brandywine Creek at Wilmington was above its 11 foot flood stage from 408 p.m. EDT on the 15th through 207 a.m. EDT on the 16th. It crested at 12.73 feet at 845 p.m. EDT on the 15th. Storm totals included 9.02 inches in Hockessin and 5.00 inches in Yorklyn.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5371967. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.