SMYRNA, Del. – The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), the Delaware State Police, and  Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG), will conduct a quarterly test of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations Alert and Notification system on Tuesday, April 7 at 7:20 p.m.

There are 37 sirens in Delaware located within a 10-mile radius of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations in New Jersey. The sirens cover an area north from Delaware City, west to Middletown, and south to Woodland Beach. This test is part of an ongoing program that continually monitors the integrity of the siren system. Sirens will be activated for three (3) to five (5) minutes, followed by a test message of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on local radio stations. Sirens tested are the same ones used to alert the public in the event of an actual emergency at the Salem Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations and are designed to alert people who are outdoors.

In the event of an actual emergency, the sirens will sound for a steady three (3) to five (5) minutes that will alert citizens to turn their radio to an Emergency Alert System (EAS) station for critical emergency information or instructions. Other alerting methods that target EAS and cell phones would also be used during an actual event.

If there are any questions, please call the Delaware Emergency Management Agency at 1-877-SAY-DEMA (1-877-729-3362) or (302) 659-3362 and ask for Stephen Davis. To learn more about radiological preparedness, visit PrepareDE.org.

RESOURCES AND INFORMATION:

2025-2026 Emergency Plan Information for NJ and DE (PSEG Calendar)  with up-to-date info and resources.

ABOUT DEMA

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is the lead state agency for coordination of comprehensive emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services to save lives, protect Delaware’s economic base and reduce the impact of emergencies.  DEMA is a division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and authorized by Delaware Code.

Social Media:  Delaware Emergency Management Agency on Facebook and X and Instagram

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For those who live or work within 10 miles of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Stations

To check whether you are within the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ), visit gov/epz

SMYRNA, Del. — The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) will distribute potassium iodide (KI) pills to Delaware residents living within the 10-mile radius (also known as the Emergency Planning Zone or EPZ) of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations. The free tablets will be distributed on Thursday, April 2^nd, between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM at Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown, located at 27 W Green St, Middletown, DE 19709.

KI is available to residents who have received it previously and whose tablets have reached their expiration date, as well as those who never received tablets before. Individuals with home or business addresses within the EPZ are eligible to receive the KI tablets. Recipients must bring a photo ID such as a driver’s license, proof of residency such as a utility bill, or proof of employment within the EPZ when they go to the Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown —this is the only requirement to receive KI tablets. Residents who have KI that is expired can bring those tablets to the distribution center to exchange for new ones.

KI does not protect against external radiation but can help protect the thyroid gland from ingested or inhaled radioactive iodine that might be released in a radiation emergency. KI is one of the protective measures outlined in Delaware’s emergency plans developed for use in a nuclear incident. The State of Delaware receives the tablets through a program initiated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

Delaware residents living outside the 10-mile EPZ who would like to obtain KI tablets should contact their pharmacist. KI is also available over the counter at some local pharmacies.

RESOURCES AND INFORMATION:
2025-2026 Emergency Plan Information for NJ and DE (PSEG Calendar) with up-to-date info and resources.

ABOUT DEMA:

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is the lead state agency for coordination of comprehensive emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services to save lives, protect Delaware’s economic base, and reduce the impact of emergencies. DEMA is a division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and authorized by Delaware Code.

Social Media: Delaware Emergency Management Agency on Facebook, X, and Instagram

Flood waters in the streets of Wilmington after a storm./DEMA photo

Highlights Include Governor’s Proclamation, Webinar

In conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Governor Matt Meyer has proclaimed March 16 to 20 as Delaware Flood Awareness Week. The goal is to better inform residents about flood risk, the likelihood of flooding from extreme weather events brought on by climate change, the importance of having a flood insurance policy, and flood remediation for addressing property damage or loss.

“As the lowest-lying state in the nation, Delaware is on the front lines of climate change and flooding,” said Governor Meyer. “I want to thank DNREC and DEMA for their partnership in leading Flood Awareness Week, helping Delawareans better understand their risks, prepare ahead of time, and protect what matters most.”

Throughout Delaware Flood Awareness Week, DNREC and DEMA are highlighting the message, “Know your zone.” Learning about flood risk where you live, work and spend leisure time will avoid confusion in the event of an emergency, and can lead to quicker reaction to extreme weather events. More information can be found at preparede.org/know-your-zone/ and on the de.gov/floodrisk webpage.

“Delawareans are already seeing more powerful storms and increased flooding because of climate change, and Flood Awareness Week is a time for people to understand their risks and be prepared. That education is one of the goals of our state’s Climate Action Plan,” said DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson. “Thanks to the Know Your Zone tool, I can see that there is some flooding risk in my neighborhood, and that my family needs to be ready to react if there is an evacuation order for Evacuation Zone D.”

DNREC will also be providing additional resources for flood awareness in Delaware through the “Top 3 in 30” webinar, which will prioritize what residents need to know about floodplain management and the flood planning tool in just 30 minutes. The virtual webinar will begin at 2 p.m., Thursday, March 19. Registration for it is found at DNREC’s Top-3-in-30 webpage.

With sea level rise accelerating – more than seven inches over the last 30 years at one Delaware tide gauge – and more days of heavy precipitation expected that could overwhelm drainage infrastructure, climate change impacts will expose more residents, properties and roadways to flooding. Delaware’s updated Climate Action Plan is another resource to understand how climate change is exacerbating flood risk and how the state can better prepare to deal with these impacts.

“Flooding is the most common natural disaster in Delaware, and it can happen with little warning. Taking simple steps now can make a critical difference when severe weather strikes. A good start is to learn your evacuation route and Know Your Zone by visiting PrepareDE.org, which also has information about emergency alerts and evacuation planning. Understand your flood risk and consider flood insurance  – even if you don’t live in a high-risk area. Learn more at Floodsmart.gov,” said DEMA Director A.J. Schall.

Delaware Flood Awareness Week seeks to help the public become better informed about flood insurance, which provides policy holders with financial security and ensures quick recovery of personal property from flood damage.

“Flooding – What You Can Do,” an article in Outdoor Delaware online magazine, explains what Delawareans can do to protect against flooding. DNREC also provides the Delaware Flood Planning Tool, which can be used to quickly determine flood risk for a particular property and is found at the de.gov/floodplanning webpage.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube or LinkedIn.

ABOUT DEMA:

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is the lead state agency for coordination of comprehensive emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services to save lives, protect Delaware’s economic base, and reduce the impact of emergencies. DEMA is a division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and authorized by Delaware Code

Social Media: Delaware Emergency Management Agency on Facebook, X, and Instagram

Media contacts:

DNREC: Alyssa Imprescia, alyssa.imprescia@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov;

DEMA: Nikki Testa, nikki.testa@delaware.gov

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SMYRNA, Del. – Agencies from the U.S. Coast Guard, the State of Delaware, and the State of New Jersey have coordinated response efforts since yesterday and early this morning and have declared the barge fire under control. No injuries were reported for this incident.
The barge was carrying salvage metal at the time of the incident. Multiple fire companies worked diligently to extinguish the fire, while state agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard coordinated resources to support response operations and minimize impacts to federal waterways, coastal communities, and the surrounding environment.

This morning, the U.S. Coast Guard will ensure the vessel is stable and able to safely proceed to Camden, New Jersey, where the material will be offloaded. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control continues to monitor air quality in Delaware through a system of land-based air monitors.

The unified response highlights the strong interagency partnership and commitment to protecting public safety, maritime commerce, and the environment.

The agencies working throughout the incident included Port Penn Fire Company, Townsend Fire Company, Wilmington Fire Department, Anne Arundel Fire Department in Maryland, Camden Fire Department in New Jersey,  Good Will Fire Company, Leipsic Volunteer Fire Company, Bowers Fire Company, South Bowers Fire Company, Delaware State Police, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC) Police Fish and Wildlife Team, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Emergency Response Team, the New Castle County Office of Emergency Management, Kent County Department of Public Safety, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Northstar Challenger Salvage Vessel, and Tug Boat Douglas J.

For inquiries or more information, please contact the Delaware Emergency Management Agency’s Joint Information Center at JIC@Delaware.gov, the Coast Guard East District at EastDistrictPublicAffairs@uscg.mil, or the RP Safety Health and Environmental at Keenan.Kendrick@EMRGroup.com.

SMYRNA, Del. – Multiple agencies are responding to a barge fire in the Delaware Bay.  The barge is carrying salvage metal and is being moved to shallow water where it can be secured to allow responders on-scene to extinguish the fire and complete salvage operations.

No injuries have been reported at this time.

The agencies responding include Wilmington Fire Department, Good Will Fire Company, Leipsic Volunteer Fire Company, Bowers Fire Company, South Bowers Fire Company, Delaware State Police, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC) Police Fish and Wildlife Team, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC) Emergency Response Team, the New Castle County Office of Emergency Management, Kent County Department of Public Safety, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay. The Philadelphia Fire Department is enroute to assist.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is the lead state agency for coordination of comprehensive emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services to save lives, protect Delaware’s economic base and reduce the impact of emergencies. DEMA is a division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and authorized by Delaware Code, Title 20,Chapter 31 §3101-3130.

Correction: This release has been edited to properly reflect the claim that DNREC was “performing air quality monitoring”. DNREC did NOT perform air quality monitoring today as the air in the area surrounding the fire would need to be monitored for particulate matter (PM) – and the mobile monitors used by first responders (namely the DNREC Emergency Response Team) do not detect PM readings.

Social Media: Delaware Emergency Management Agency on Facebook X and Instagram