It touched down just after 7 p.m. The whole of New Castle County, and Delaware, already braced for continued remnants of then-Tropical Storm Debby barreling up the East Coast on Thursday.

The EF1 tornado knotted into shape over Marshallton, atwist with peak winds estimated at 95 mph, according to the preliminary report released Saturday morning by the National Weather Service. After initially hitting just south of Acme, the cyclone dragged a path of damage northward for another 1.13 miles – breaking windows, downing fences and dropping trees in its wake.

The wind funnel reached a max width of about 150 yards on its trek, according to the weather service. No injuries were reported, and preliminary reports aided by spotters noted debris “lofted into the air.” Damage to buildings and homes was reported.

Its ultimate EF1 rating corresponds to “moderate” impact, per forecasters, whereas a maximum EF5 would have meant “incredible” damage for communities, or winds over 260 mph.

Thursday’s tornado was the first to touch down on state soil this year.

But Delaware has been no stranger to such whirlwinds. Most have been rated EF0 or EF1. 

Hear from residents: They were in cars, homes and Acme. Residents describe Thursday tornado in Delaware

21-mile path? Looking back at tornadoes in Delaware

The First State has faced about 78 tornadoes since 1950, according to a Delaware Online/The News Journal database aggregating reporting data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Just two of those twisters have led to direct fatalities, per the database. A 78-year-old man was killed last year in his Greenwood home in Sussex County, and two people were killed near Hartly in Kent County in 1983. Property damage totals nearly $13.4 million across the state as of April. That figure does not include damages incurred in the past five years.

The year 2020 stands out with six tornadoes, tied with 1992 for the most in one year. All those formations came in the same four-day span that August.

That was when Tropical Storm Isaias brought high winds, heavy rain, several tornadoes and coastal flooding to the entire Mid-Atlantic – becoming the most impactful tropical cyclone to hit the region since Sandy in 2012, per the database.

One EF2 tornado alone, delivering “significant” damage, posted a path nearly 21 miles in length. It reached 500 feet at its max width, with peak winds at 115 mph.

That cyclone tore through New Castle County after 8 a.m., continuing nearly parallel to Routes 1 and 13 on the east sides of Townsend and Middletown. Trees were snapped. Roofs were damaged. Several garage doors were blown out; another garage was destroyed on Blackbird Landing Road. Homes in Middletown sustained damage, with ripped-out walls or tree impact.

A history of twisters: Tornadoes in Delaware since 1950

A stronger tornado came just last year.

It touched down in the evening near Bridgeville, on April 1, 2023, before killing the 78-year-old Greenwood man. The twister delivered severe damage on its 14-mile path, barreling with peak winds clocked at 98-mph wind gusts about 10 feet off the ground. Utility poles were snapped, siding and roofs ripped away, parked semi-trailers blown over a driveway, among much more damage reported in Sussex County.

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life in favor of taking in fresh air and wide-open spaces, you’re not alone.

According to Nature’s Generator, more than 250,000 residents in the United States currently live off the grid.

A recent BusinessElectric.com study, which revealed the top 150 places in the United States to live off the grid, included all three Delaware counties, as voted on by 3,000 Americans.

Here’s what each county has to offer for off-the-grid living.

More: Delaware camping guide: 7 campgrounds to visit in Delaware, camping tips and tricks

Best places to live off the grid in Delaware

• Sussex County (No. 20) – Just off the Atlantic Ocean, the First State’s southernmost county is ideal for beachgoers and nature lovers alike. The county spans roughly 938 square miles, and is known as Delaware’s largest county geographically, according to the county’s website. The county is home to a wide range of seaside resorts – including notable locales Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island – and known for its arable land, which is perfect for farming. The county also has a wide range of state parks and protected lands, including , Delaware Seashore State Park, Cape Henlopen State Park and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, which offer many outdoor recreational activities. Georgetown is Sussex County’s largest city, which spans nearly 4.1 square miles and has a population of 7,662 residents as of 2022.
• Kent County (No. 57) – Considered central Delaware, Kent County is considered by many to be a blend of historical and modern-day, family-friendly living. The county homes several museums including First State Heritage Park and the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village. There are also many state parks, including Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Bowers Beach and Killens State Park, which offer multiple outdoor activities including camping, hiking, fishing and bird-watching. Residents can also visit Spence’s Bazaar & Flea Market or Fifer Orchards to pick out homemade goodies and fresh produce. Dover, the state capital, is considered Kent County’s largest city, spanning 23.97 square miles and is home to 39,403 people as of the 2020 U.S. Census.  
• New Castle County, western region (No. 122) – The northernmost county of the First State, the western region of New Castle County provides residents both the opportunity to explore the big city and small towns. Alongside Lums Pond State Park, other regions worth exploring include Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area and Augustine Beach and Wildlife Area. Wilmington is the county’s largest city, with a population of 70,898 residents as of the 2020 U.S. Census and spans 6,510,38 square miles.

What is off-the-grid living?

As Nature’s Generator explains, off-the-grid living is often defined as severing ties with public utilities, including electricity, gas and water, and instead generating these resources using renewable energy such as solar or wind power and water collection or filtration.

To put it simply, living off the grid means cutting off local utilities and similar resources and embracing self-sufficiency and resilience.

What are the pros and cons of off-the-grid living?

While many point to self-sufficiency, financial independence and reducing one’s carbon footprint as empowering, making the decision to live off the grid does have its drawbacks.

Which Delaware communities are growing the fastest

In addition to making significantly high investment costs in resources like solar panels, water collection systems and battery storage mechanisms, there is also a lot of work involved and a greater risk of social isolation and being without electricity or water for several days.

But many do credit how living off the grid with saving money, encouraging a more sustainable lifestyle and providing a deeper connection to natural surroundings.