DETV News – Flood in Wilmington

Here is a Special Report from DETV’s Matt Ford of the Flooding in Wilmington

The water has receded, but the long road to recovery is just beginning for hundreds of Wilmington residents and business owners impacted by Thursday’s record-setting Brandywine River flooding.

“As difficult as it may be, we ask for everyone’s continued patience as the damage is assessed and we determine the true magnitude of this catastrophe,” said Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki in a statement issued Friday night. “We understand this historic weather event has been very disruptive on lives and neighborhoods, and we will do everything we can to focus available resources to assist with the recovery.”

Remnants of Hurricane Ida brought high winds and five inches of rain, submerging homes, shopping centers and automobiles on the city’s East Side.

While Wilmington escaped the horrors faced by residents in New Jersey and New York – the death toll continued to climb near 50 and stories filtered out of people drowning in their cars and apartments during the storm – roughly 200 people were rescued by first responders in boats.

Many residents returned to their homes Friday and began the heart-breaking task of dragging out furniture, mattresses, pictures and their ruined belongings to the garbage heap.

Also on Friday, Wilmington Department of Public Works staff spent the day clearing mud, muck and debris from city streets, some which were still flooded.

Wilmington officials – assisted by the American Red Cross and other agencies – opened two shelters that served as a temporary landing place until displaced residents were picked up by friends or family.

Hearing there was a need, city officials reopened the William “Hicks” Anderson Community Center on Friday night and set out cots in the gymnasium. The Police Athletic League center, at 3707 N. Market

St., was also open on Saturday. Both centers were empty Saturday morning and city officials were shutting down operations at Hicks on Saturday afternoon.

Theresa Young, executive director of the American Red Cross serving the Delmarva region, said her agency was still in the assessment phase of the disaster. “There are a lot of homes from minor damage to being destroyed,” she said. “This is going to take awhile.”

Young said because a temporary shelter was available at Hicks, displaced residents were not assigned to hotels. Young said there was some confusion over whether hotel “vouchers” would be available, and thought it stemmed from residents being assigned to hotels last August in the wake of Hurricane Isaias. She said at that time – during the height of Covid – it was not deemed safe to open a center for residents.

A Social Services Call Center was made available over the weekend, for those in need of a place to stay, food, clothing, furniture or other needs. That line was open Saturday – Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 302-571-4900.

Delaware residents displaced by the storm could also search for available housing and resources at www.delawarehousingsearch.org or by calling toll-free 1-877-428-8844.

On Friday, Gov. Carney’s office announced that a Disaster Reception Center would open on Tuesday, Sept. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Warehouse, 1121 Thatcher Street.

Residents were advised to bring proof of residency, proof of income, insurance documents and a valid form of identifications. Residents were also told to take pictures of the damage in their homes and to contact their insurance companies.

AAA also offered advice to residents, warning them to NOT start or drive cars that had been submerged in water.

In a statement, Ken Grant, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said many systems in a car could be damaged by water and that persons should go to a trusted mechanic for an evaluation. Grant said flood damage is covered only under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto policy and that car owners should contact their insurance company immediately.

Updated information was released by Wilmington officials Friday night, in partnership with the Governor’s office and the Department of Health and Social Services. Look here at DETV for updated information as it becomes available.

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