Ocean View · Weather, flooding and hazards

Ocean View, Delaware: weather, flooding and hazards

Weather, climate, flooding and hazards in Ocean View, Sussex County, Delaware: 19 questions answered from NOAA, the state and other official sources.

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Questions about weather, flooding and hazards in Ocean View

What is the climate like in Ocean View, Delaware?

Using NOAA 1991 to 2020 climate normals from the Lewes station, the nearest of the stations we use, the average January low is 30.2 degrees F and the average July high is 87.7 degrees F. Annual precipitation averages 47.28 inches. The station is not inside Ocean View, so readings in town can differ a little, especially near the water. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.

How much snow does Ocean View get per year?

The 1991 to 2020 normal for the Lewes station, the nearest station we use, is 10.5 inches of snow a year. Individual winters vary a lot around that average. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.

Is Ocean View in a flood zone?

Part of Ocean View may sit in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, and the answer depends on the address, so we do not give a town-wide yes or no. The USGS elevation at the town's Census center point is only about 13 feet, which is low ground. Look up a specific property in the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and the DNREC Delaware Flood Planning Tool. Source: msc.fema.gov, floodplanning.dnrec.delaware.gov, epqs.nationalmap.gov.

Is Ocean View in a hurricane evacuation zone?

Delaware labels hurricane evacuation zones A, B, C and D, and describes them as low-lying areas susceptible to flooding and storm surge. The state page does not list communities by zone, so we cannot say which zone Ocean View or a given address falls in. Use the Know Your Zone lookup tool or interactive map to check an address. Source: preparede.org, dema.delaware.gov.

What body of water is Ocean View on?

The 1889 town charter bounded Ocean View by the Assawoman Canal, White's Creek and Route 26. White's Creek is a tributary of Indian River Bay, and the Delaware Public Archives puts the Atlantic about two miles east. Source: archives.delaware.gov.

How big is Ocean View and how high above sea level is it?

The 2020 Census Gazetteer lists Ocean View at 2.773 square miles of land and 0.021 square miles of water. Elevation at the Census center point is about 13 feet above sea level (USGS 3DEP), and ground height varies across town. Source: www2.census.gov, epqs.nationalmap.gov.

Which National Weather Service forecast zone covers Ocean View?

The National Weather Service (Mount Holly office) places Ocean View in forecast zone DEZ004, Delaware Beaches, Delaware. This was read from the NWS point forecast page for the town's Census center point. Source: forecast.weather.gov.

What flood levels does the National Weather Service use for Little Assawoman Bay near Ocean View?

For the Little Assawoman Bay at Fenwick Island gauge (FEND1), minor flooding is 2.5 ft MLLW, moderate 3.5 ft and major 4.5 ft. Sandy reached 5.07 ft on October 29, 2012. The gauge is at Fenwick Island, not in Ocean View. Source: api.water.noaa.gov.

What flood levels apply on Indian River Bay near Ocean View?

The National Weather Service gauge Indian River near Indian River Inlet (INRD1) lists minor flooding at 4.2 ft MLLW, moderate at 5.2 ft and major at 6.2 ft. Sandy reached 7.66 ft on October 29, 2012. Source: api.water.noaa.gov.

Were areas along Route 26 ordered to evacuate for Hurricane Sandy?

Delaware's October 2012 order covered flood-prone areas along Route 26 and Route 54 and areas around the inland bays. Ocean View is on Route 26, but the order did not name it. Check Know Your Zone for an address. Source: news.delaware.gov, preparede.org.

Which way should Ocean View residents evacuate in a hurricane?

For Sandy in 2012, the state advised ocean communities south of Indian River Inlet to go west on Routes 26 and 54 to U.S. 113, not north on Route 1. Follow current orders from Delaware officials. Source: news.delaware.gov.

Where does Ocean View point residents for flood zone information?

The Town's flood page links to FEMA, the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and a DNREC Drainage and Stormwater Assistance guide. Questions go to the Administrative Department at 302-539-9797. Source: oceanviewde.gov.

What are the open burning rules in Ocean View?

The Town's page says yard waste fires under 27 cubic feet are allowed only October 1 to April 30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and are banned in Ozone Season. Homeowners notify the Sussex County fire board at 302-856-6306. Report illegal burning at 1-800-662-8802. Source: oceanviewde.gov.

When is hurricane season and where are Sussex County storm shelters?

A Sussex County town page lists hurricane season as June 1 through November 30. For shelter locations call the American Red Cross at 302-856-2993 or the Sussex County EOC storm line at 302-856-7366. Source: millville.delaware.gov.

How many hours of notice does a storm surge warning give?

The National Weather Service Mount Holly tropical page says a Storm Surge Warning means danger of life-threatening inundation generally within 36 hours, and a Watch generally within 48 hours. Source: weather.gov.

How many heating and cooling degree days does the Ocean View area have?

NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals for the Lewes station list 3,823 heating degree days and 1,506 cooling degree days a year (base 65 F). The station is not in Ocean View. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.

What are the wettest and driest months near Ocean View?

At the Lewes station, NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals show July as the wettest month at 4.95 inches and February as the driest at 3.17 inches. There are 13.5 days a year with 1 inch or more of rain. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.

In which months do freezing nights occur near Ocean View?

At the Lewes station, NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals show freezing lows from November (4.2 days) through April (0.8 days), peaking in January at 17.6 days. The annual total is 59.1 days. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.

How much sea level rise does Delaware plan for by 2050?

Delaware Geological Survey lists 2050 values relative to 2000 of 0.72 ft (low), 1.31 ft (intermediate) and 1.90 ft (high) for the planning scenarios. Source: dgs.udel.edu.

How these answers are sourced

Every answer on this page cites an official or primary source, such as the town, a state agency, NOAA or the institution itself. Answers SussexCounty.ai could not confirm from a primary source are left out until they can be.