Wave photo by Angela Andriola OCEANFRONT VIEW -- South Bethany's Ocean Drive was covered with sand, water and debris Monday morning. See more storm photos page 12.

As far as nor'easters go, this one wasn't so bad, residents and experts say. Considering that storms in 1962 and 1998 are what make up local legend, the Valentine's Day-President's Day Storm of 2003 will probably go down in history as a major annoyance.

"It's not nearly as bad as a few years ago," said Wayne Stacey, South Bethany town manager, even though sand and debris carried in by the ocean covered the entire east side of the town Monday morning.

South Bethany and Dewey beaches suffered the most damage as a result of the storm. Both towns were shut down Monday morning and the National Guard was called in to help evacuate oceanfront homes.

In South Bethany, 20 people from five homes were evacuated by the Delaware National Guard at the recommendation of Bethany Beach Fire Chief Richard Parrett. They were taken to town hall until the Atlantic Ocean's waters receded. Sand and debris completely covered Ocean Drive from the north to south end of the town, and all side streets leading from the ocean to Route 1 were flooded with water and sand.

"It was recommended they leave since we had to shut power off to the east side of the street," he said. As the ocean's waters surged onto the road, sewer, water and electric service was turned off.

Between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and local fire and police crews attempted to clear roadways and evacuate residents in danger. One resident's pick-up truck was saved from the encroaching ocean waters in South Bethany. Officials said the vehicle, parked at a residence on Ocean Drive near 9th Street, was pulled from the water and suffered minor dents and scratches.

On Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service was expecting snow accumulation as high as 22 inches along the coast over the course of the weekend.

However, by Sunday evening, the southeastern part of the county measured, at most, 12 inches of snow.

Gov. Ruth Ann Minner declared a State of Emergency on Sunday, which remained in effect through Monday and was finally lifted at 6 a.m. Tuesday. The declaration managed to shut the state down, emergency crews, medical workers and media about the only ones reporting to work.

"It's really quiet out there," said a pleasantly surprised Ken McLaughlin, chief of the Ocean View Police Department and President of the Sussex County Police Chief's Association. "I think most people are being smart and just staying in," he said Sunday afternoon.

On Sunday night, Coast Guard sailors at Station Indian River were equally nonchalant about the mounting weather conditions.

"We have sustained winds of about 30 knots, with gusts up to about 45," said Boatsmate Matthew Moore. "Waves out at sea are about 10 feet."

Gale warnings were issued for most of the Mid-Atlantic coast on Saturday and remained in effect through Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Coastal flooding in the Oak Orchard and Long Neck areas prompted the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) to recommend evacuation. The group opened a temporary emergency shelter at Sussex Central High School in Georgetown on Sunday however, only one person showed up, DEMA officials said.

The area did experience light flooding Monday. But by that afternoon, Rosanne Pack, DEMA spokesperson, said that while the flooding was minimal, it was important that area residents stay inside and leave the roads open to emergency workers.

Major roadways in the Bethany Beach area, including Routes 1 and 26, saw near normal traffic levels by late Monday morning.

"Motorists may see on television that Route 1 is open and decide to go out," Pack said. "But most of the secondary and backroads in the county have not been touched since Friday, and there are some that have drifts of up to four feet on them."

Delaware State Police Lt. Tim Winstead said motorists were, by and large, staying off the roads, but he was concerned over those who attempted to venture out.

"I wish people were adhering to the Governor's orders more," he said. When the order was issued at 9 a.m. Sunday morning, state police troopers largely gave motorists leeway.

On Monday however, Winstead said officers were being much stiffer with enforcing the law. "I think if someone is going to check on an elderly relative we'll let them slide, but if they are going to the video store...there is just no reason for that. We need to let DelDOT get to these roads."

Winstead added that it would be interesting to see later in the week just how many citations were given. "Fines for disobeying a governor's order range anywhere from $50 to $500," he said.

State Sen. George H. Bunting (D-20th District), who lives in Bethany Beach, said his home sustained damage on the first floor. "It's nothing to worry about," he added.

"I think the state did an outstanding job on this one," he said of Gov. Minner's attention to the weekend storm. In the past, he said, when localized weather events impacted the coast, the state may have been slower to respond.

"I would have fire chiefs calling me up asking me to get the National Guard out to help. I think this time since it impacted the whole state, we were more prepared," he said.

Bethany Beach Police Chief Michael Redmon said at high tide on Monday morning, waves forced several breaches in the dune line on the north side of town, but at no time posed a serious threat to residents. "They're staying put," he added. "We have a lot of standing water and minor flooding, like we usually do."

Angela Andriola contributed to this story.

Reach John Duffy at (302) 537-1881, ext. 106, or by e-mail at mailto:jduffy@smgpo.gannett.com

Originally published Wednesday, February 19, 2003