(Smyrna) –Governor Jack Markell declared a State of Emergency for Delaware effective at 5:00pm today, with Level 1 driving restrictions effective Saturday, January 23 at 12:00 am.

Level 1 driving restrictions mean that all persons operating a motor vehicle when a Level 1 Driving Warning has been activated shall exercise extra caution in the operation of their motor vehicle.  Non-essential personnel, regardless of whether employed by a public or private entity, are encouraged not to operate a motor vehicle on public roadways when a Level 1 Driving Warning has been activated, unless there is a significant health, safety or business necessity reason for doing so.

A Blizzard Warning is in effect for New Castle and Kent Counties until 10am Sunday.  Total accumulations of 18-24 inches of snow are expected in New Castle County, while Kent County is forecast to receive 12-18 inches, with lower amounts near the shore.  A Winter Weather Warning is in effect until 10am Sunday for Sussex County with an expected accumulation of 4-8 inches.  Snow is expected to come down faster throughout the night, with an accumulation of 1-2 inches per hour.  But near the coast in Sussex County, the major issue is going to be flooding.

A Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect from 4:00am Saturday until noon Sunday, for Kent and Sussex Counties.  Widespread major coastal flooding is expected Saturday morning, while moderate coastal flooding is anticipated from Saturday night into Sunday morning.  The coastal flooding will last for three consecutive high tide cycles, pushing water up against the coast and into back bays and estuaries.

High tide on the Delaware oceanfront will occur between 6:30 and 7:30am Saturday morning, between 7:00 and 8:00pm Saturday evening, and between 7:00 and 8:00am Sunday morning.  High tide on back bays and the Delaware Bay will occur later than along the ocean.  Wave heights in near-shore waters over the weekend are forecast to build as high as 15 to 20 feet, with wave heights on the Delaware Bay as high as 4 to 8 feet.               The National Weather Service says that water levels are currently forecast to approach the Top 5 recorded levels in Lewes and Cape May, NJ.  Roadway flooding is expected, along with moderate property damage, with significant beach erosion.  People living in flood-prone areas should consider the possibility of relocating during the storm.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has mobilized all of its crews and trucks are on the roads statewide.  Residents can track the progress of DelDOT plows by watching the snowplow tracker, available at deldot.gov, or on the DelDOT app on a smart phone.

Delaware Transit Corporation has announced that all fixed route and intercounty service is suspended Saturday, as is paratransit service.  SEPTA has announced that Saturday service will not operate in Delaware.  For updated information as the storm continues, Check Alerts on www.DartFirstState.com.

The speed limit on I495 has been reduced to 45 MPH.  A number of traffic accidents have been reported statewide, mostly property damage, and there are reports of a few disabled vehicles.

All public school activities in the state for the weekend, including sporting events, have been postponed.

No shelters have been opened at this time.  The Delaware National Guard has pre-positioned personnel and vehicles throughout the state to provide assistance where needed.

There are a small number of power outages in Wilmington, however high winds and wet snow make the possibility of downed electric and other utility lines a concern for the weekend.

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