Slaughter Beach, Delaware: weather, flooding and hazards

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Questions about weather, flooding and hazards in Slaughter Beach

What is the climate like in Slaughter Beach, 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 Slaughter Beach, so readings in town can differ a little, especially near the water. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.

How much snow does Slaughter Beach 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 Slaughter Beach in a flood zone?

Part of Slaughter Beach 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 2 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 Slaughter Beach 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 Slaughter Beach 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 Slaughter Beach on?

Slaughter Beach sits on Delaware Bay, where the Mispillion River and Cedar Creek empty into the bay, per the Delaware Public Archives. Source: archives.delaware.gov.

How big is Slaughter Beach and how high above sea level is it?

The 2020 Census Gazetteer lists Slaughter Beach at 1.419 square miles of land and 0.025 square miles of water. Elevation at the Census center point is about 2 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 Slaughter Beach?

The National Weather Service (Mount Holly office) places Slaughter Beach in forecast zone DEZ003, Inland Sussex, Delaware. This was read from the NWS point forecast page for the town's Census center point. Source: forecast.weather.gov.

At what Lewes tide level does flooding begin in Slaughter Beach?

The National Weather Service Lewes gauge notes say flooding begins around the Mispillion Light and in Slaughter Beach, and in Primehook Beach, at 6.4 ft MLLW. Minor flood stage at Lewes is 6.0 ft MLLW. Source: api.water.noaa.gov.

Which roads into Slaughter Beach flood?

The Town's 2019 Emergency Operations Plan says both public roads, Cedar Beach Road (Route 36) from the north and Slaughter Beach Road (Route 224) from the south, are regularly prone to flooding and inaccessibility. Source: slaughterbeach.delaware.gov.

How high is the land in Slaughter Beach?

The Town's 2019 Emergency Operations Plan says elevation runs from sea level to about 14 feet, with most land below five feet. About 12,800 acres of tidal marsh on the west side can increase tidal flooding during high winds. Source: slaughterbeach.delaware.gov.

How often do Slaughter Beach streets flood at high tide?

DNREC's Resilient Community Partnership page says streets and property flood frequently at high tide, with less frequent but more extreme storm surge flooding from nor'easters and tropical storms. It expects flooding to become more frequent and intense. Source: dnrec.delaware.gov.

Has a tornado hit Slaughter Beach?

Yes. The National Weather Service event review for July 1, 2021 lists an EF-1 tornado that ran from 2 ENE Milford to Slaughter Beach from 5:00 to 5:07 PM EDT, with 90 mph peak wind, a 4.77 mile path and 100 yard width. The findings were listed as preliminary. Source: weather.gov.

What beach nourishment has Slaughter Beach had?

DNREC's 2024 beach change report says a fall 2022 project added 40,000 cubic yards of sand to over 4,500 linear feet of shoreline. DNREC also says the beaches ranked high in its 2020 vulnerability assessment. Source: documents.dnrec.delaware.gov, dnrec.delaware.gov.

Is more beach replenishment planned for Slaughter Beach?

The Town's April 2026 update says a project was slated to begin in fall 2026 at three bay beaches, Slaughter Beach, Kitts Hummock and Pickering Beach. Easement updates are ongoing with the Army Corps and DNREC. Source: slaughterbeach.delaware.gov.

Does Slaughter Beach have a coastal flood forecast tool?

Yes. The Delaware Coastal Flood Monitoring System lists Slaughter Beach among 15 Delaware Bay communities and provides hourly water level forecasts out to 48 hours. Alerts are set up through DEOS at [email protected]. Source: coastal-flood.udel.edu.

When do escape routes from Slaughter Beach flood before a hurricane?

The Town's Emergency Operations Plan says low-lying inland escape routes can be cut by rising water 2 to 4 hours before a Category 2 hurricane arrives and 3 to 5 hours before a Category 3 to 5 storm. Source: slaughterbeach.delaware.gov.

What storm surge does Slaughter Beach plan for by hurricane category?

The Town's 2019 plan lists about 4 to 5 ft for Category 1, 6 to 8 ft for Category 2 and 9 to 12 ft for Category 3. It says Category 5 surge is possibly greater than 18 feet. Source: slaughterbeach.delaware.gov.

Which NOAA Weather Radio frequency covers Slaughter Beach?

The Town's Emergency Operations Plan lists 162.550 MHz for Slaughter Beach and 162.474 MHz for Salisbury. Alerts also go out through the Delaware Emergency Notification System. Source: slaughterbeach.delaware.gov.

Was Slaughter Beach evacuated for Hurricanes Irene and Sandy?

Yes. Sussex County's August 2011 Irene evacuation named Slaughter Beach, and Delaware's October 2012 Sandy order listed Slaughter Beach among the Delaware Bay communities. Source: sussexcountyde.gov, news.delaware.gov.

Who administers Slaughter Beach's floodplain rules?

The Town's NFIP page says Slaughter Beach participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and its Flood Zone Ordinance is administered by the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Department. Construction must be elevated above Base Flood Elevation. Source: slaughterbeach.delaware.gov.

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.