(Smyrna) – The Level 2 Driving Restrictions for New Castle and Kent Counties issued yesterday by Governor Jack Markell, will be downgraded to a Level 1 Warning at 10:00am this morning (Sunday).  The Level 1 Warning will continue for Sussex County.  When a Level 1 Driving Warning is in place, non-essential personnel, regardless of whether employed by a public or private entity, are encouraged not to operate a motor vehicle on public roadways, unless there is a significant health, safety or business necessity reason for doing so.

The clean-up and recovery from the blizzard and winter storm that hit Delaware and a number of other states Friday and Saturday is underway.  But our main concern statewide this morning is flooding.

A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect in New Castle County until 1:00pm today.  A Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect until noon Sunday for Kent and Sussex Counties.  For New Castle County, minor flooding is anticipated during the midday high tide, which occurs around 12:30pm.  Localized roadway flooding is expected and some roads may be closed due to high water.  Downstate, water levels are expected to decrease this afternoon as the northwest wind begins pushing water away from the shore.  But flooding is expected during the evening high tide.  Roadway flooding and minor property damage is possible, along with more beach erosion.

DelDOT continues to work to clear roads.  DelDOT’s North District (the area north of I-95) reports that roads are snow covered with some wet roadways.  In the Canal District (I-95 south to the New Castle/Kent County line) primary roads are reported to have up to an inch of snow and up to 13 inches for secondary and minor roads.

The Central District (Kent County) indicates that conditions vary from wet to icy to snow covered.  2 inches of snow on primary roads, 3 inches on secondary roads, and up to 12 inches on the minor roads in Kent County.  There are also flooded roads: Bowers Beach Road into the town is closed at Whitewells Delight Road due to flooding.  There is high water on Route 42 at Leipsic, Route 9 at Fleming’s Landing, and Northeast Front Street in Milford.

In the South District (Sussex County) we have a mixed bag of conditions.  Primary and secondary roads are reported to be wet and covered with a half-inch to an inch of snow, while 3-6 inches of snow is on secondary and minor roads.  Flooding is an issue in the coastal areas.  Prime Hook and Broadkill Roads are considered to be impassable due to water depths.  And because of some of the water velocities experienced yesterday, there is the potential for damage to Prime Hook Road.  Route 1 along the ocean  between North Fenwick and Lewes Drive has been re-opened, while Route 1 between Hudson Road and the Town of Dewey Beach remains closed.

Other road closures in Sussex County include: the New Road Bridge near Canary Creek Drive near Lewes, the bridge on Pilottown Road, and on Route 89 near the Milton Fire Hall.  Also closed due to flooding are River Road between roads 297 and 312A, Long Neck Road from Whitehouse Road to Massey’s Landing, Road 341 between Route 26 and Road 343, Road 360 from Route 26 to Wingate Road, and Fred Hudson Road to South Dewey – closed.

The Delaware National Guard positioned personnel and vehicles throughout the state during the storm to provide assistance where needed.  Crews from Delmarva Power and the Delaware Electric Cooperative have worked throughout the storm to quickly restore power.

Snowfall accumulations vary across the state, with the highest reported at 16.2 inches of snow in Woodside, 13.3 inches of snow in West Dover, 13.1 at New Castle, with the lowest at Lewes where gauges measured 2.4 inches of snow.

Other snow amounts: in New Castle County: and 12.5 at Port Penn, 12.2 at Greenville and Hockessin, 11.7 at Claymont, 11.2 inches at Prices Corner, 11.0 at White Clay Creek, 10.1 at Glasgow and Talleyville, 10.0 inches in Newark, 9.7 in Smyrna, and 6.8 at Blackbird.  Kent County has 11.7 inches of snow in Harrington, 11.2 inches in Dover, and 10.0 in Frederica.  Sussex County has 7.8 inches of snow in Laurel, 6.5 in Ellendale, 4.9 inches in Bridgeville, 4.3 inches at Stockley and 4.0 inches in Seaford and Selbyville.  Snowfall measurements may vary in some areas.

Print