Tempest, Still at Sea, Is Making Itself Felt

Drivers pause along the seawall on Surf Avenue in Rehoboth Beach to take in the sight of huge waves pummeling the Delaware coast. (By Chuck Snyder For The Washington Post)

"We just bought a bunch more chain saws to remove trees. We got to thinking after the last storm that we're overdue for some downed trees," Mayor Gerald Donovan said. "Sometimes these non-hurricane, non-tropical storms can wreak a lot more havoc on us small towns."

After surviving a tornado last June and Tropical Storm Hanna a few weeks ago, the town couldn't take any chances, Donovan said.

Yesterday afternoon, as the storm remained 75 miles southeast of Cape Fear, N.C., there was a possibility that it could become a tropical storm, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

"But regardless of whether it actually becomes tropical, whether it gets a name, it's going to be producing strong winds and rain," said Dennis Feltgen, hurricane center spokesman.

Meteorologists predict that the storm will last into Saturday morning. Gusts up to 45 mph are expected along the Chesapeake Bay, with less powerful winds inland.

A flooding advisory issued by the weather service will remain in effect until 6 this morning for the District and the following counties in Maryland: Prince George's, Anne Arundel, St. Mary's, Calvert, Baltimore and Harford.

The advisory also applied to the following areas of Virginia: Prince William, Manassas, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford and King George.