(Smyrna) – State offices in New Castle and Kent Counties are closed during regular business hours today by order of Governor Jack Markell. A Limited State of Emergency and Level 1 Driving Warning were also issued by Governor Markell before 6 o’clock this morning. Delaware Code defines a Level 1 Driving Warning in this manner: “Level 1 Driving Warning: A “Level 1 Driving Warning” shall mean that any person operating a motor vehicle when a Level 1 Driving Warning has been activated shall exercise extra caution in the operation of their motor vehicle. Nonessential employees, regardless of whether employed by a public or private entity, are encouraged not to operate a motor vehicle on the State’s roadways when a Level 1 Driving Warning has been activated, unless there is a significant safety, health or business reason to do so.”
A Winter Storm Warning continues in New Castle County until 6:00am Friday, February 14th. Kent County also remains under a Winter Storm Warning, set to expire at 1:00pm today, February 13th. A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect statewide until midnight tonight. Areas of minor coastal flooding are expected with evening high tides. Areas of poor drainage will be affected and some roadway flooding may be experienced. More precipitation is expected this afternoon and evening.
Snowfall totals vary across the state with most areas with accumulations over 10 inches so far in parts of New Castle County. Amounts are lower downstate, with around 6 inches of snow reported in the Dover area. Inland Sussex County saw 1-2 inches, with mostly rain in the beach areas.
Delmarva Power and the Delaware Electric Cooperative are both reporting power outages and the numbers are changing quickly as crews are able to restore service to affected areas. Information on school closings, can be found on the State of Delaware School Closings website (http://schoolclosings.delaware.gov/).