Neighborhoods in Delaware heavily damaged during storm

TaRhonda Thomas Image
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Neighborhood in Kirkwood, Del. heavily damaged during storm
Wind gusts up to 70 miles an hour snapped dozens of trees, scattered siding and shingles throughout the street and left some homeowners without a roof over their heads Tuesday.

KIRKWOOD, Delaware (WPVI) -- First hit with a pandemic and now Tropical Storm Isaias.

Wind gusts up to 70 miles an hour in Delaware snapped dozens of trees, scattered siding and shingles throughout the street and left some homeowners without a roof over their heads Tuesday.

Debris was scattered around a neighborhood in Kirkwood after Isaias tore through the region.

Fences were ripped out of the ground, trees were split at the base, while siding and doors were blown off of houses at Brennan Estates.

The back half of one home was ripped off by the storm. Homeowner Joseph Hicks said he and his family are lucky to be safe.

"As we were approaching the basement, I saw the tree lifting out of the ground. At that point is when I saw the whole back of the house coming off of the property," Hicks said. "Thank God that we're here. God spared my wife and my boy. We're here. I can replace the house."

Related: Flood rescue at Lantana shopping center in Hockessin, Delaware

A frightening scene played out in the parking lot of the Lantana Square Shopping Center in Hockessin, Delaware Tuesday.

First responders said there were no injuries.

We do not know for sure if this damage is the work of a tornado.

The National Weather Service says one tornado was confirmed farther south in Dover, Delaware. One Action News viewer sent in a video showing damage in Dover.

VIDEO: Damage in Dover

Viweer Britt Raybuck captured storm damage in Dover, Delaware.

WATCHING THE STORM IN REHOBOTH

The entire state of Delaware was hit by powerful winds and heavy rain Tuesday.

Before the sun rose, Tina Jacobi had already received a weather alert.

"We were woken up by a tornado warning about 10 'til five," said Jacobi, a Frederick, Maryland resident who's visiting Rehoboth Beach.

The Rehoboth Beach Patrol runs up and down the beach to tell people to go home for their safety during the storm.

Jacobi is staying in a camper, which made her even leerier of the impending weather brought by Isaias.

"We've been in high (alert) mode," Jacobi said before adding that she's been spending the day at a house with family.

As the winds picked up, the Rehoboth Beach Patrol was seen running up and down the beach to tell onlookers who were taking pictures of the ocean to go home for their safety.

Governor John Carney issued a State of Emergency to coordinate response and recovery efforts following the high winds, heavy rainfall, tornadoes, and flooding due to Tropical Storm Isaias. The State of Emergency is effective as of 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, until further notice.

"Several communities in Delaware experienced significant damage from Tropical Storm Isaias," said Governor Carney. "We are declaring a State of Emergency to provide coordinated assistance for response and recovery efforts from this storm damage. Severe weather can happen quickly. I urge all Delawareans to stay safe, and prepare for any future weather events by visiting preparede.org."

Related:

Tropical Storm Isaias leaves hundreds of thousands without power in Philadelphia region

Tornado in Cape May County, New Jersey caught on video

Church steeple topples in Ocean City as Isaias wreaks havoc across region

Doylestown Hospital, nearby day care damaged during storm

Heavy rain from Isaias leaves major flooding; multiple rescues made