(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 14^th.  Kent County also remains under a Winter Storm Warning, set to expire at 1:00pm today, February 13^th.  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/).

(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.

(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.

(Smyrna) – As an illustration of how quickly information, whether correct or erroneous, can go viral on the internet, social media sites been buzzing in recent days with rumors that a massive snowstorm will paralyze the mid-Atlantic region during early February.

Gary Szatkowski, Head Meteorologist for the National Weather Service (NWS) in Mount Holly, New Jersey has received inquires about the rumored storm.  Here is his response: “To our emergency management and other key partners, many of you have been asked about a possible monster snowstorm about 10 days from now.  A graphic has also been going around about the same storm showing huge amounts of snowfall in the region.  I have responded on this topic to one state emergency management agency, as well as three county emergency management agencies, who in turn have been dealing with inquiries about this storm.

I have been sending the response below regarding the graphic and am sharing it with all of you now to help you deal with any inquiries.  It’s simply a graphic showing long-range model output.  When you say ‘is there any truth to this’, it depends what you mean.

If you’re asking if it is an accurate depiction of the information contained in a computer model, the answer is ‘yes’.  If you’re asking if you should bet your house on the forecast being right that far out in time, my answer would be ‘only if you wish to be homeless’.

If you’re asking my opinion, it’s a highly inflammatory action on the part of irresponsible people. Although the science of meteorology has made great strides, we have not suddenly developed the ability to forecast blizzards 10 days out.  It’s been a difficult winter for many people.  Exploiting people’s emotions regarding the weather to drive web site visits or Facebook likes is highly unethical & unprofessional.

That’s what’s going on here.

I went on one of the weather discussion websites referenced in the graphic, and that person has already posted an apology with appropriate caveats similar to above.”

The National Weather Service and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) monitor weather conditions.  No one can responsibly or accurately predict, at this time, any weather condition that may occur a week or more from now.

(Smyrna) – The shelf life of Potassium Iodide (KI) tablets previously distributed in Delaware and eight other states has been extended for an additional six months from the current expiration date of February 2014.  The extension was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and communicated to Delaware officials.  The affected KI tablets are 130 mg strength, manufactured by iOSAT™.  The February 2014 expiration date is printed on the packaging.  Residents who work or reside within the ten-mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) surrounding the Salem/New Hope Nuclear Generating Stations and who possess the affected KI tablets should hold on to them until new tablets are issued,

KI is a stable product when stored according to label directions, and with proper storage, FDA officials say, expired lots can be safely used up to six months after the manufacturer’s labeled expiration date.  That would allow the KI tablets to be used as late as August 2014.  Potassium Iodide tablets should be stored in the original, unopened packaging, protected from light and kept dry.  Tables should be stored at 68-77° Fahrenheit (20-25° Celsius).

Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) officials note that new supplies of KI are expected to be delivered to the state around April of this year, and distribution will be scheduled when the new tablets are received.  Those who live or work within the ten-mile radius will be notified in advance of the distribution.  The public will also be informed through traditional and social media notices.

DEMA and the Delaware Division of Public Health periodically distribute Potassium Iodide to individuals who reside and/or work within the 10-mile EPZ.  The tablet distribution began when the State of Delaware chose to participate in a program initiated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

KI does not protect against external radiation, but can help protect the thyroid gland from ingested or inhaled radioactive iodine that might be released into the environment in a radiological emergency.  Potassium Iodide is one of the precautionary measures outlined in Delaware’s emergency plans for response to a radiation emergency.  The primary method of protecting EPZ residents and workers is evacuation, but potassium iodide may offer an additional level of protection from radioactive iodine.

In the event of a radiological emergency, state and local officials will inform the public through an Emergency Alert System (EAS) message broadcast on local radio stations.  Those messages will include instructions on how affected residents should respond, as well as directions to evacuation routes and emergency reception centers.  The instructions will also inform the public when and if KI tablets should be taken – residents and workers within the EPZ should not use the KI until instructed.

For more information about the Potassium Iodide (KI) Distribution Program in Delaware, call the Delaware Emergency Management Agency Radiological Emergency Planning Section at 302-659-3362.