DELMARVA — Intense heat and humidity on Monday triggered widespread storms across the Delmarva Peninsula, bringing two to four inches of rain to parts of Sussex County, including Long Neck and Ocean View. The downpours led to localized flooding and hazardous travel conditions. A brief tornado touched down just east of Frankford shortly after 1 p.m., according to a preliminary assessment.
The tornado report was initially submitted to the National Weather Service by Chief Meteorologist Hunter Outten of the TVDelmarva Weather Center. Outten expressed gratitude to members of the public who quickly shared photos, location details, and damage reports through Facebook messages and other social media platforms. He noted that the community’s fast response reflects a strong interest in weather and believes many residents would be excellent candidates for SKYWARN® training.
SKYWARN is the National Weather Service’s official volunteer spotter program. It trains individuals to identify and safely report severe weather conditions, offering valuable real-time information to enhance forecasting and public safety. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, able to observe weather without the need for instruments, and have access to a phone or radio. Amateur radio operation is optional, not required.
New spotters must complete a free, two-hour training seminar held each spring and fall. The course teaches basic weather identification, safety protocol, and reporting methods. Graduates receive a spotter ID. While current sessions are conducted online, in-person training is expected to resume across the 34-county Mount Holly Forecast Area, which includes most of New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, eastern Maryland, and Delaware.
To learn more or register for an upcoming course, visit www.weather.gov/phi/skywarn.
Photo: Submitted by Hunter Outten