Ophelia coming: Major flooding expected at Delaware beaches and along bays

Well, you can forget about spending the last day of summer on the Delaware beaches.

A major coastal storm is imminent. Tropical Cyclone 16 became Tropical Storm Ophelia Friday afternoon and is headed for Delmarva. Major flooding will occur along the Delaware Bay and Delaware's inland bays this weekend, with life-threatening surf conditions and rip currents along the beaches, according to the National Weather Service.

Sussex and Kent counties are under a coastal flood warning, with the ocean beaches under a high-wind warning as well. Fenwick Island is the only part of Delaware currently under a tropical storm warning from the National Weather Service.

Heavy rain will begin in southern Delaware on Friday night and spread northward Saturday and Sunday. Flooding will be worst at high tide on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service, in the afternoon and evening.

Storm of 1962 remembered: Those who survived tell of homes and lives obliterated

In Delaware, the National Weather Service has gauges on the Murderkill River at Bowers Beach, at Breakwater Harbor in Lewes and at Reedy Point on the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. The Murderkill River is expected to reach a record high of 8.6 feet late Saturday afternoon. Breakwater Harbor is expected to reach 8 feet (the record was 9.3 feet) and Reedy Point 8.1 feet (record 9.2).

Winds will pick up Friday night as well and continue through Saturday, with the strongest gusts, between 50 and 60 mph, along the coast. Expect trees to fall and power lines to go down, as well as power outages. The tornado risk is low at this time, according to the National Weather Service.

More: With 'major' flooding expected in many Delaware coastal areas, here's how to remain safe

Most events scheduled for this weekend have been canceled, and the Coast Guard has closed the Port of Wilmington. Sussex County officials sent out an email blast Friday urging residents to secure loose objects and those in low-lying areas to relocate vehicles.

Set up a place for you, your family and your pets to go if necessary. Keep apprised of weather conditions throughout the weekend, make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and, of course, check Delaware Online frequently for updates.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.

More on Tropical Storm Ophelia:

Hurricane watch issued in North Carolina as Ophelia strengthens

Follow Ophelia's path toward the Mid-Atlantic

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Storm to bring major flooding, high winds to Delaware this weekend