1100 Hours, Friday, Sept. 1, 2006: Bands of rain from what is now Tropical Depression Ernesto have begun to overspread Sussex County, Del., and the mid-Atlantic region this morning, but so far the effects of the storm have been minimal, at best, with only water ponding on some streets and highways.

Officials at Sussex County’s Emergency Operations Center, however, caution that conditions today are expected to deteriorate as the storm tracks northward from North Carolina into central Virginia. Rainfall should begin to pick up in intensity this afternoon, and continue through later tonight. Forecasters are still predicting 4 to 6 inches of rain possible, though amounts may vary in localized spots.

The National Weather Service has posted a flash flood watch for Sussex County, beginning this afternoon and lasting through Saturday afternoon. The weather service also has posted a wind advisory for eastern portions of Sussex County, where winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, are possible as the storm moves through the region.

“So far, Tropical Depression Ernesto looks to be more of a nuisance than anything else,” said Debra Jones, spokeswoman for the Emergency Operations Center. “But that will probably change as the day wears on. We may have some flooding in areas, and trees or power lines knocked down by winds. So residents and Labor Day weekend visitors should not let down their guard. They need to exercise caution, maybe delay their travel plans for the day, if possible. Flooding is a potential threat, and drivers in particular should be mindful of that if they’re out on the roads.”

The storm is expected to bring with it torrential rains at times, strong winds along the coast and some minor to moderate tidal flooding, particularly along the Inland Bays and along the Nanticoke River in western Sussex. There also is a chance of an isolated tornado in the region this afternoon.

Emergency officials expect the storm to swiftly move through the region and be out of the area by Saturday.

Sussex County reminds residents, particularly those in low-lying areas, to be on the lookout for flooding. If floodwaters begin to rise, residents should seek higher ground. Only if the floodwaters become a threat to safety and life should citizens call 911.

Residents and property owners should have, by now, secured their homes with sandbags if they are located within low-lying or flood-prone areas. Residents also should have removed loose objects, such as lawn chairs and trash cans, to prevent storm winds from turning those items into potential projectiles.

The county Emergency Operations Center encourages residents and visitors to tune in to local media, as well as the Internet, for the latest weather forecasts and information related to the storm. The National Weather Service homepage is https://www.weather.gov/phi/.

County residents and visitors are urged to call 911 only in emergencies. Those with storm-related calls – to report downed trees, flooding or power outages – can call the EOC’s non-emergency telephone line at (302) 856-7366.

The Sussex County Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor the storm’s progress, and will throughout the course of the day and night stay in regular contact with the National Weather Service, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and local officials. Extra staff and dispatchers for the county 911 center are on standby, and will be brought in if conditions warrant.