0600 Hours, Friday, Nov. 13, 2009: Sussex County emergency officials continue to monitor a major coastal storm affecting the region, but they are optimistic at this hour that once the early morning high-tide cycle is complete, conditions may gradually improve over the next 24 hours.

Widespread moderate flooding is expected to continue today in low-lying, flood-prone areas, particularly in and around communities surrounding the Inland Bays, along the Delaware River, and near the Nanticoke River.

National Weather Service forecasters, however, now believe severe tidal flooding that had been predicted will be limited to smaller pockets in the county as the coastal storm and a blocking high pressure system to the north slowly slip eastward.

No evacuation order has been issued for Sussex County, and conditions thus far have not warranted such action, Sussex County Emergency Operations Center Director Joseph L. Thomas said. Fire crews in the Oak Orchard-Long Neck area in eastern Sussex County, however, have assisted more than 50 people in leaving their homes to seek higher, drier ground. Approximately a dozen people relocated to the Oak Orchard Community Church on Thursday evening, where they remained overnight.

“We’re now in the next high-tide cycle, and this could be the worst yet. But from what forecasters are telling us and what we’re seeing, the conditions might not be as severe and as widespread as had been predicted,” Mr. Thomas said. “If we can get through this cycle, I believe we’ll be alright. But by no means should the public let their guard down. Motorists should exercise caution while driving, especially as dawn approaches and the morning commute begins.”

High tide at the Breakwater Harbor in Lewes occurred at 5:32 a.m., and will occur again at 5:51 p.m. today; at Indian River Inlet, high tide occurred at 5:13 a.m., and will occur again at 5:31 p.m. today. Along the Nanticoke River, at nearby Sharptown, Md., the next high tide will be at 2:31 p.m. today.

The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that Del. Route 1 remains closed in the area of the Indian River Inlet bridge this morning, with waves breaching the dunes just north of the inlet and water covering the highway. Meantime, a state of emergency enacted by Delaware Gov. Jack Markell remains in effect in Sussex County for the purpose of deploying State resources, including Delaware National Guard trucks and personnel.

Area school districts, including Cape Henlopen, Delmar, Indian River and Milford, have canceled classes today due to the storm.

National Weather Service forecasts continue to call for high tides this morning and tonight to run as much as 2 to 4 feet above normal, with another ½ inch of rain and strong, gusty winds possible. Forecasters expect the worst flooding conditions to occur during this morning’s high-tide cycle, between 4:30 and 7:30 a.m. Meantime, winds should begin to diminish later this morning.

For a complete list of current road closures, visit the DelDOT Web site at www.deldot.gov. To view a map of power outages in Sussex County, visit Delmarva Power’s Web site at www.delmarva.com and the Delaware Electric Cooperative’s Web site at www.delaware.coop.

The Sussex County EOC requests that residents and property owners with photographs of flooding or other storm damage send them through the County Web site. Visit sussexcountyde.gov to upload storm images.

For updates, stay tuned to local television and radio stations, and the Sussex County EOC Web site, at sussexcountyde.gov/emergency-preparedness. Members of the public who have questions regarding this information should contact the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center at (302) 855-7801.

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Media calls should be directed to EOC spokeswoman Debra Jones at (302) 855-7801.