UD cancels Oct. 4 Coast Day due to expected significant coastal flooding, storm effects

10:38 a.m., Oct. 1, 2015--While the University of Delaware’s Coast Day is typically a rain or shine event, organizers have announced that this year’s Coast Day scheduled Sunday, Oct. 4, has been canceled due to the possibility of significant coastal flooding, high winds and rain expected this weekend. 

Public safety is UD’s main concern.

Campus Stories

From graduates, faculty

As it neared time for the processional to open the University of Delaware Commencement ceremonies, graduating students and faculty members shared their feelings about what the event means to them.

Doctoral hooding

It was a day of triumph, cheers and collective relief as more than 160 students from 21 nations participated in the University of Delaware's Doctoral Hooding Convocation held Friday morning on The Green.

• Doctoral hooding
• Old Swedes
• Summer SAT, ACT prep
• 'Opus 13' pre-sale

“We are using the tools and science that we have available at the present time to make a decision that best protects the safety of our visitors, faculty, staff and students,” said Mohsen Badiey, acting dean of the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment (CEOE). “Coast Day typically draws nearly 10,000 visitors to Lewes, and it would be irresponsible to encourage attendance in the face of unpredictable weather.”

It is still too early to know what Hurricane Joaquin will do, however, heavy rainfall and winds from a current storm system in the northeast are already affecting the area. Additionally, coastal flooding with heavy surf and beach erosion are likely as the weather deteriorates for the remainder of the week and into the weekend. 

This morning, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Mount Holly stated that Delaware beaches are under a high wind watch through Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. and a coastal flood watch through 5 p.m. on Oct. 4. 

UD officials, including representatives from CEOE, UD Public Safety and the Office of the Delaware State Climatologist, housed at UD, are working closely with NWS and additional state and federal offices and keeping a close eye on the weather situation. 

The College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment and Delaware Sea Grant, Coast Day’s co-hosts, encourage citizens to continue to monitor updates from the National Weather Service and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, and heed any issued warnings or watches. 

For storm preparedness resources or to take a virtual tour of Coast Day, visit www.decoastday.org.