0930 Hours, Sunday, June 26, 2006: Heavy rains from slow-moving thunderstorms are drenching parts of Sussex County this morning, washing out roads, stranding motorists and forcing firefighters to use boats to reach flooded homes.

According to the National Weather Service, nearly 6 inches of rain have fallen in the Georgetown area since before dawn, with possibly higher amounts scattered around the county, particularly in the Seaford area. In nearby Federalsburg, Md., just west of Seaford, as much as 9 inches rain of rain have fallen in the last eight hours.

“We have reports of cars floating in the parking lot at the Seaford Wal-Mart, firefighters using boats to evacuate houses in Seaford off Stein Highway, and various reports of flooding in parts of Georgetown,” said County Administrator Robert L. Stickels. “There’s a real mess out there.”

The Sussex County Emergency Operations Center does not have reports of any serious injuries at this point as a result of the weather. In Seaford, more than a dozen people have been evacuated from their homes and relocated to the Seaford Fire Company station downtown.

Meantime, several area roads are covered with water, including parts of Del. 20 in the Seaford area. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution. Dispatchers are reporting the most activity in Seaford, but reports of flooding are now beginning to come in from the Lewes and Rehoboth Beach areas.

“People need to use common sense,” Sussex County EOC Director Joseph Thomas said. “If you can stay off the roads, please do so. One of the biggest problems we’re having this morning is with people hitting ponded water and running off the road.”

If flooding threatens, move immediately to higher ground. If you cannot relocate and you or your family are in immediate danger, call 911 for assistance.