(Smyrna) – Governor Jack Markell has ordered state offices closed in New Castle and Kent Counties today during regular business hours of 8am to 4:30pm.  Non-essential state employees who live or work in New Castle County or Kent County are not to report for work during this period.  Essential employees are to report as scheduled.  State of Delaware offices in Sussex County will open at 10:00am.  Non-essential state employees who live or work in Sussex County should not report to work until 10:00am, while essential employees report as scheduled.

Governor Markell has also placed a Level 1 Driving Warning into effect in New Castle and Kent Counties.  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.”

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated at 10:00pm, Wednesday night.  DEMA officials were joined by representatives from other response agencies to monitor conditions overnight.

A Winter Storm Warning continues in New Castle County until 6:00am Friday, February 14^th.  Kent County and the inland portion of Sussex County are also under a Winter Storm Warning, set to expire at 1:00pm today, February 13^th.  The coastal areas of Sussex County are under a Winter Weather Advisory until 7:00am Thursday.  A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect statewide until midnight tonight.  Areas of minor coastal flooding are expected with the Thursday morning and evening high tides. Areas of poor drainage will be affected and some roadway flooding may be experienced.

Snowfall totals vary across the state with most areas of New Castle County waking up to 2.5 to nearly 4 inches of snow on the ground with more to come.  National Weather Service forecasters now say that snow could accumulate 6 to 10 inches in New Castle County along with a trace of ice.  The snow will mix with sleet upstate later this morning, then change to sleet and rain for a period in the afternoon before changing back to snow tonight and taper off by midnight.

Parts of Kent County have heavier accumulations this morning with reports of nearly 6 inches of snow already on the ground in Dover.  Total accumulations in Kent and inland Sussex Counties will be in the 4 to 6 inch range.  Snow will continue into the morning in many areas.  In the southern part of Delaware, rain and sleet early will change to all rain by dawn, while Kent County will see the rain/sleet mix later in the morning before changing to a wintry mix this evening.  Coastal areas will see mostly rain.

The morning rush hour will be impacted by the morning road and weather conditions. Motorists should allow extra time for their morning commute, reduce speeds, and use extreme caution while driving.  DelDOT crews are working on primary and secondary roads, bridges, toll roads, and known trouble spots.

Public school districts in New Castle and Kent Counties have already announced closings for Thursday.  Delaware Technical & Community College Stanton/Wilmington Campus and Terry Campus are closed for day classes.  Evening classes are also closed at the Stanton/Wilmington Campus.  Goldey-Beacom College has also announced that it will be closed on Thursday.  Information on school closings can also be found on the State of Delaware School Closings website (http://schoolclosings.delaware.gov/).

The snow will be wet and heavy.  Winds may gust 20-35 MPH, with higher gusts up to 50 MPH along the coast.  The heavy snow accumulating on tree branches and power lines, combined with strong, gusty winds may combine to produce broken branches and downed power lines.

Driving Discouraged and Extra Caution Encouraged

With a severe winter storm generating significant snowfall in parts of Delaware, Governor Jack Markell has issued a Limited State of Emergency and “Level 1 Driving Warning” for Kent and New Castle Counties, effective immediately.  State offices in Kent and New Castle Counties are closed.  State offices in Sussex County will open two hours late.  See text below.

“We strongly encourage drivers who do not need to travel to delay or refrain from being on the road,”  said Governor Markell.  “Conditions throughout Kent and New Castle County have deteriorated, and it is safer not to drive if you don’t have to.  Hundreds of DelDOT crews are continuing to work on clearing roads and we will continue to evaluate conditions.”

DART has made service changes because of the weather, in its updated schedule.

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Executive Department

Dover

DECLARATION OF A LIMITED STATE OF EMERGENCY

AND LEVEL I DRIVING WARNING FOR KENT AND NEW CASTLE COUNTIES

DUE TO A SEVERE WINTER STORM

             WHEREAS, a severe winter storm is generating and will continue to generate significant amounts of snow and sleet throughout the State of Delaware, with significant accumulations of more than six inches in much of Kent County and New Castle County; and

WHEREAS, the severe winter storm has winds gusting up to 30 miles per hour, resulting in snow drifts and other road hazards that make driving dangerous and creating potentially life-threatening conditions; and

WHEREAS, on February 12, 2014, I authorized the Delaware National Guard to assist state and local officials with any necessary response and recovery activity for this severe winter storm; and

WHEREAS, the predicted weather conditions will likely continue to create dangerous and potentially life-threatening road conditions and may result in additional public safety responses;

NOW THEREFORE, I, JACK A. MARKELL, pursuant to Title 20, Chapter 31 of the Delaware Code, do hereby declare a State of Emergency in New Castle and Kent Counties.  This State of Emergency is effective on February 13, 2014 at 5:00 a.m. E.S.T., and shall continue until terminated as provided under state law. The nature of the emergency is significant amounts of snow and sleet, and high winds.  Along with such other actions authorized by Title 20, Chapter 31 of the Delaware Code, I specifically direct and authorize:

• All departments and agencies of the State of Delaware shall assist in response and recovery activities, as directed by and in coordination with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security, necessary in those areas affected by the storm.
• As of February 13, 2014 at 5:00 a.m. E.S.T., and until further notice, a Level 1 Driving Warning is in effect in New Castle County and Kent County.  Any person operating a motor vehicle shall exercise extra caution for the duration of the emergency.  Nonessential employees, regardless of whether employed by a public or private entity, are encouraged not to operate a motor vehicle for the duration of the emergency, unless there is a significant safety, health or business reason to do so.  State and local officials are directed to remove abandoned vehicles from roads in affected areas at the expense of the vehicle owner.
• I authorize the Delaware Department of Transportation and the Delaware State Police, in consultation with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, to order such bridge and road closures as may be necessary to protect the health and safety of the public.
• The Delaware Emergency Management Agency shall activate the State Emergency Operations Plan and cooperate with federal entities in making applications, if necessary, for relief and assistance for those towns and communities adversely affected by snow, winds and coastal flooding, pursuant to the State Emergency Operations Plan of the State of Delaware and any potentially applicable federal disaster or emergency relief laws, including, but not limited to, the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The Director of DEMA, or his designee, shall be the Governor’s Authorized Representative with respect to interaction with FEMA.
• I reserve the right to take or direct state or local authorities to take, without issuance of further written order, any other necessary actions authorized by Title 20, Chapter 31 of the Delaware Code to respond to this emergency.

APPROVED this February 13, 2014 at 5:00 a.m. E.S.T.

Governor

DOVER – State of Delaware offices in New Castle County and Kent County are closed today (Thursday, February 13) during regular business hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Non-essential employees who live or work in New Castle County or Kent County are not to report to work for this period. Essential employees are to report as scheduled.
State of Delaware offices in Sussex County will open at 10 a.m. Non-essential employees who live or work in Sussex County do not report until 10:00 a.m. Essential employees are to report as scheduled.

(Smyrna) – Another winter storm is bringing snow to Delaware, but this one may bring some other problems in the form of power outages before it tapers off tomorrow evening.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as of 10:00pm, Wednesday, February 12^th.  The EOC activation brings multiple response agencies together with DEMA serving as the coordinating lead agency.  DEMA is working along with other emergency response agencies across the state to monitor conditions caused by the winter storm and take appropriate action.

A Winter Storm Warning has been posted in New Castle County by the National Weather Service (NWS), which is in effect until 6:00am Friday, February 14^th.  Kent County and the inland portion of Sussex County are also under a Winter Storm Warning, set to expire at 1:00pm Thursday, February 13^th.  The coastal areas of Sussex County are under a Winter Weather Advisory until 7:00am Thursday.

A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect statewide from 5:00am Thursday until midnight Thursday night.  Areas of minor coastal flooding are expected with the Thursday morning and evening high tides. Areas of poor drainage will be affected and some roadway flooding may be experienced.

New Castle County can expect to see 3-5 inches of snow overnight, with an additional accumulation tomorrow that could bring the snowfall total to 6-8 inches.  Kent County should receive 2-4 inches overnight with additional two inches tomorrow.  Inland Sussex County may receive 1-2 inches before morning, with 1-2 inches additional on Thursday.  The beach areas may get less than an inch of snow tonight and tomorrow.

The morning rush hour will be impacted by the morning road and weather conditions. Motorists should extra time for their morning commute, reduce speeds, and use extreme caution while driving.  DelDOT crews are working on primary roads, bridges, toll roads, and known trouble spots.  Primary and secondary roads were pre-treated with a salt brine mixture. DelDOT reports that roads are wet with some accumulation starting on road shoulders.

Some school districts in Delaware have already announced closings for Thursday.  Parents, school employees and students should monitor district websites or other media outlets for information regarding closures. Information on school closings can also be found on the State of Delaware School Closings website (http://schoolclosings.delaware.gov/).

The snow will be wet and heavy.  Winds Thursday morning may gust 25-35 MPH, with higher gusts up to 40 MPH along the coast.  The heavy snow accumulating on tree branches and power lines, combined with strong, gusty winds may combine to produce broken branches and downed power lines.

On March 1, 10:30 a.m., the Delaware Public Archives will present a special Irish genealogical program by well-known Delaware genealogist Nancy Lyons entitled “Searching for Your Irish Family Roots.”

Ms. Lyons will focus on researching Irish American ancestry both online and in U.S. record repositories. Researchers will learn how to utilize the census, vital statistics, church documents, naturalizations, passenger lists and other essential record groups to fill in the blanks of their family trees.  Ms. Lyons will also share additional reference resources such as  internet sites and suggested reading material.

Nancy Lyons is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the National Genealogical Society.  The founder of the Irish Family History Research Group, Lyons has volunteered at the Mormon Family History Center in Wilmington for 19 years.  She also served as the chair of the Delaware Genealogical Society Educational Committee for nine years.  Other memberships include Friends of the Delaware Archives, Delaware Genealogical Society, Downstate Delaware Genealogical Society, and the Sussex County Genealogical Society.

Ms. Lyons’ program is free to the public.  No reservations are required.  For more information, contact Tom Summers (302) 744-5047 or e-mail thomas.summers@delaware.gov.

For information about the Delaware Public Archives, please visit the website at  http://archives.delaware.gov. You can also become a follower of the Archives Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/DelawarePublicArchives) and read the Archives blog (http://archives.blogs.delaware.gov/) to learn more about events and other items of interest at the Archives.

The Delaware Public Archives is located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North in Dover. The Mabel Lloyd Ridgely Research Room is open to the public Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. On the second Saturday of every month the research room is open from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

The Delaware Public Archives (DPA, archives.delaware.gov), an agency of the State of Delaware, is one of the oldest public archives programs in the United States. DPA serves the citizens of Delaware by identifying, collecting, and preserving public records of enduring historical and evidential value; ensuring access to public records for present and future generations; and advising and educating interested parties in the creation, management, use, and preservation of public records.