1630 Hours, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006: The remnants of what was once Tropical Storm Ernesto, now drifting northward toward the Carolinas, could pose a flood threat to Sussex County in the next 48 hours, as forecasters expect the system to drop as much as 6 inches of rain over much of the region.

Officials at Sussex County’s Emergency Operations Center are tracking the storm’s progress and projected path, which could take it over or near the Delmarva Peninsula on Friday – the start of Labor Day holiday weekend.

The storm is expected to bring with it torrential rains at times, wind gusts up to 40 mph along the coast and some minor flooding, particularly along the Inland Bays. Emergency officials do not expect the storm to cause widespread, substantial damage, but cautioned that residents should prepare nonetheless.

The National Weather Service in Mt. Holly, N.J., has issued a flash flood watch for Sussex County, effective Friday afternoon through Saturday. The watch means conditions for flooding are favorable.

“Forecasters are not anticipating the type of rainfall we saw in the Seaford and Blades areas two months ago when a prolonged thunderstorm produced more than 10 inches of rain, washing out bridges and flooding homes,” said Joseph Thomas, director of the Sussex County EOC. “However, localized heavy amounts are always a possibility with these types of storms, and residents need to be on guard that flash flooding could occur at any time.”

The storm’s initial effects could begin to overspread the region late Thursday night, with heavier rainfall expected Friday and eventually tapering off that evening. In addition to the heavy rain, tides along the Atlantic Ocean could run 1 to 2 feet above normal. Minor to moderate tidal flooding, meantime, could occur in the Inland Bays.

Sussex County reminds residents, particularly those in low-lying areas, to begin preparations now for the coming rain by sandbagging if necessary, making sure submersible pumps are working, and checking nearby storm drains to ensure they are clear of debris. Residents should also have fuel in their vehicles, and make sure their disaster kits are ready with the necessary items, such as a three-day supply of water, non-perishable foods, clothing, medicines and cash.

Also, residents and property owners should secure loose objects, such as lawn chairs and trash cans, to prevent storm winds from turning those items into potential projectiles.

“As always, anytime we have storms such as this, we’re concerned about the possibility of downed trees and power lines throughout the county,” said Debra Jones, spokeswoman for the county’s EOC. “Residents should never approach downed power lines, as those lines might still have electrical current running through them.”

Ms. Jones also said motorists need to exercise caution if they must travel, bearing in mind that water can pond or completely cover a road’s surface in a short period of time. “If roads are water-covered, do not drive through the affected area,” Ms. Jones said. “The water could be higher than it appears.”

The Sussex County Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor the storm’s progress, and will during the next day 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 will be placed on standby, and brought in if conditions warrant.

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.