On Sunday, July 9, 2023, a tornado swept through the town of Middletown, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The National Weather Service Office in Mount Holly, New Jersey, conducted a storm survey to assess the impact of the tornado, and they have officially confirmed its occurrence. In a Public Information Statement released on Monday, July 10, the National Weather Service provided preliminary details about the tornado and its effects on the area.
The storm survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, concluded that a tornado did indeed touch down in Middletown, Delaware. The final assessment, including the track and intensity of the tornado, will be released later in the day officials said.
The severe storms that swept through New Castle County, Delaware, caused damage throughout the area. In Middletown, the storms ripped off parts of a roof on the 2500 block of Chopin Drive, resulting in significant damage to a home. The Village of Bayberry North and South developments suffered damage, with trees uprooted and street signs bent over at almost 90 degrees.
The storm toppled a tractor-trailer onto a Ford Explorer at Route 1 South at Hyetts Corner Road, Thankfully, a family member of those involved in the incident took to social media to reassure the public that everyone in the Explorer was unharmed.
The Delaware City Fire Company (DCFC) also faced numerous challenges during the storm. A 911 call alerted them to an incident at the intersection of Governor Lea Road and West Seventh Street, where a minivan with four occupants, including two adults and two children, became trapped in floodwaters. The courageous rescue crews from DCFC, equipped with specialized water rescue gear, navigated treacherous conditions and successfully extricated the individuals from the rising waters. The victims were then transported to the firehouse to seek shelter from the ongoing inclement weather.
Photos of all of these incidents can be viewed on our Facebook page here