High tides wash over areas of Rehoboth Beach

High tide and heavy winds joined forces to overwash large sections of Rehoboth Beach Aug. 17.

Photos taken by bystanders show water all the way to the sand fencing, and tidal pools up and down the beach.

Becky Brasington Clark of Baltimore said, “I have been coming to Rehoboth since the 1980s, and I have never seen the beach completely overtaken by water. People were crowded against the fence next to the dunes trying to stay dry. Chairs and a trash can were floating. I don’t know how often this happens, but I found the inundation to be frightening.”

Nico Caceras, assistant chief with the Rehoboth Beach Patrol, said around noon, Aug. 17, high winds combined with high tide led to waves 3 to 4 feet high landing on the beach, with water rushing all the way up the beach to the dunes. Caceras said the water then slowly began receding, leaving tidal pools in spots along the shore.

While the beach patrol can’t control people going on the beach, Caceras said double red flags have been placed along the beach, warning beachgoers of hazardous water conditions. He said similar conditions were expected Aug. 18, probably keeping the warning flags out.

City spokeswoman Lynne Coan said Beach Patrol Capt. Jeff Giles has confirmed that northeast winds have caused larger waves, increased rip currents and higher tides in the past couple of days. She said lifeguards have advised that swimmers who go into the water should not go any farther than waist-deep.