Dune breach closes major Del. evacuation route

A major highway in coastal southern Delaware is closed after ocean water breached sand dunes along the road.

 

Delaware Route 1 was closed in both directions north of the Indian River Inlet Bridge Sunday morning.

 

Despite the closure, Gov. Jack Markell said Sunday afternoon that the evacuation of Delaware's low-lying coastal areas appeared to be going smoothly. Markell has ordered the evacuation of 50,000 coastal residents.

 

The dune breach left officials concerned about the amount of flooding the state will experience when the worst of the storm arrives Monday. House Majority Leader Pete Schwartzkopf, a Democrat who represents the Rehoboth Beach area, says the early flooding "got people's attention."

 

The highway will remain closed indefinitely.