NCC Officials Urge Residents Not to Drive After Dark Due to Flood Risk

Risks can lurk from unseen hazards in floodwaters of unknown depth.

New Castle Emergency Mgt.

NEW CASTLE, Del. — New Castle County’s Office of Emergency Management and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency are urging residents to avoid driving after dark because of the expected heavy rain tonight and the risks from flooding. The National Weather Service has forecast periods of intense and heavy rain with high winds for this evening, which could cause small stream, river flooding, and coastal flooding – especially in the upper Delaware Bay.

The National Weather Service is currently forecasting the Delaware Bay at Reedy Point to crest at 9.1 feet, near the record of 9.24 feet set on April 16, 2011. Currently, no evacuations are planned, but officials expect Delaware City to be temporarily inaccessible for a period.

New Castle Emergency Mgt.

 

Flooding at night is very dangerous because it is harder to see the water level, the speed of the current, and any obstacles or hazards in the way. Each year, flooding causes more deaths than any other storm-related hazard. Many flood deaths occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood waters.

About 75 percent of flash-flood deaths occur at night. Half of deaths result when people in automobiles or other vehicles proceed into water of unknown depth and are swept away by the force of the water. Many deaths also occur when motorists drive around road barricades that clearly indicate that the road is washed out ahead. Flood water is dangerous for both cars and pedestrians: just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

State and county emergency agencies are closely monitoring weather and road conditions and will issue emergency notifications and Wireless Emergency Alerts if needed. Everyone is urged to stay informed through radio, TV, or social media, and follow instructions from officials. Please evacuate if told to do so, or if you are in a flash flood prone area.

Do not walk or drive through flood waters, as they can be fast-moving, contaminated, or electrically charged. Stay off bridges over fast-moving water and move to higher ground or a higher floor if possible. Stay where you are until the flood waters recede and it is safe to leave.

The Delaware Department of Transportation is also asking everyone to report flooded roads or other debris and downed power lines by contacting #77 from their mobile phone.

Flood Severity Terms

  • Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television.
  • Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
  • Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
  • Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.

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.

Major Storm Could Bring Widespread Flooding

Officials urge homeowners and residents to take time and prepare now.

SMYRNA, Del. – Delaware state officials are urging residents to be aware and prepare for potential flooding on Tuesday and Wednesday from a major storm that could bring at least 1 to 3 inches of rain with the heaviest rainfall expected to fall Tuesday night. The combination of heavy rain on already saturated ground with rivers running higher could lead to widespread and significant flooding.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flood watch from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon. Widespread flooding from excessive rainfall is possible for the Delaware beaches, inland Sussex, Kent, and New Castle Counties. In addition, damaging south to southeast winds could produce gusts 40 to 50 m.p.h. inland and gusts up to 65 mph for coastal areas. A storm watch is in effect for all marine zones with dangerous seas building 15 to 20 feet Tuesday night lingering into Wednesday.

DEMA has resources on PrepareDE.org about flooding and the NWS also offers flood safety tips to help everyone prepare. Homeowners are urged to clear their gutters and drains as well as check sump pumps to make sure they are working properly.

“Having multiple rain events over the course of a few weeks has created the possibility for serious flooding with Tuesday’s storm,” said A.J. Schall, Director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. “Take time today to prepare and make sure you are weather aware and follow the directions of local officials.”

Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski added, “Drivers should be alert to the possibility of flooded roads during this storm and not attempt to drive through them. Please slow down and adapt your driving to the conditions. DelDOT will be monitoring road conditions throughout the storm and will be ready to respond. Flooded roads can be reported to the Transportation Management Center by calling #77.”

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency is monitoring weather conditions and will work with county emergency management officials to respond and address any emerging needs. DelDOT will update road closure information and issue travel advisories on its website, WTMC 1380 AM, and the DelDOT mobile app.

As a coastal state with the lowest average elevation in the U.S., flooding is the most common weather hazard in Delaware. For a map of flood-prone areas in Delaware, go to de.gov/floodrisk. Residents in these areas should monitor the weather and prepare to move to higher ground if necessary. Motorists are reminded to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” if they encounter flooded roadways.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters.

KEY MESSAGES

  • Stay informed about current weather, storm forecasts, travel advisories, and warnings
  • Sign up for the Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS) at de.gov/dens to learn about emergency closings or hazardous conditions. Download the FEMA App and set up local alerts.
  • If possible, avoid travel by car in flooded areas. Check on road conditions with the DelDOT App.

Flood Severity Terms

  • Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television.
  • Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
  • Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
  • Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.

National Weather Service Links:

DelDOT Links:

DEMA Links:

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.

Emergency Sirens Test on January 2 at 10:45 a.m.

Sirens will be activated for three to five minutes, followed by a test message of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on local radio stations.

 
SMYRNA, Del. — The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and Delaware State Police, along with 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, January 2, 2024 at 10:45 a.m.

There are 37 sirens in Delaware located within a 10-mile radius of the Salem-Hope Creek 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 to five 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 either the Salem or Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations.

In the event of an actual emergency, there would be a series of steady three (3) to five (5) minute siren sounds that would alert citizens to turn their radio to an Emergency Alert System (EAS) station for critical emergency information or instructions.

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 Georgina Sharper or Albert Samah.

To check whether you live within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone, or EPZ, go to de.gov/epz.

To learn more about radiological preparedness, visit PrepareDE.org.

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

Delaware Safety and Homeland Security Names Executive Director to Lead New Police Officer Standards Training Commission

Today the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) announced Sean E. Moriarty, Ed. D. as Executive Director of the new Police Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST).

POST, now a new division within DSHS, was created through House Bill 206 and signed into law in August to replace the Delaware Council on Police Training (COPT). Legislators, advocates, community members and law enforcement worked together to create the new Commission.

With more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, he will lead the Commission in establishing hiring and training standards for Delaware police officers as well as overseeing significant allegations of police officer misconduct. In addition, he will advise the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission (DPAC), which is responsible for establishing policy and standards for police agencies, assisting agencies with standardization and accreditation, and issuing guidelines for local police oversight commissions or boards.

“Director Moriarty’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of law enforcement makes him best suited to lead this new commission at this time. His wealth of experience and leadership will undoubtedly make a positive impact in his new role. I look forward to his continued contributions to our law enforcement community,” said Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Nathaniel McQueen Jr.

Director Moriarty, who recently retired from the State Police as a Major, focused significant time and effort on education, policy development, community engagement, and police professionalization during his career. He held various positions during his career including Director of Training for the DSP Training Academy and Administrator for COPT. In this capacity, he oversaw all aspects of recruitment, in-service, firearms, canine, and elective training. This included revising the entire training curriculum and enhancing instructor development.

“The Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training and the Police Accreditation Commissions will play a significant role in collaborating and assisting law enforcement agencies towards greater professionalization, standardization, and accountability. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our citizens in this new role,” said Executive Director Moriarty.

He holds a Doctorate of Education in Innovation and Leadership, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, and he is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.

Winter Weather Awareness Week: Nov. 27 to Dec. 1

SMYRNA, Del. — Governor Carney is proclaiming the week of November 27 to December 1 as “Winter Weather Awareness Week in Delaware.”

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Delaware Department of Transportation, National Weather Service, and county emergency agencies are teaming up to share important information to help residents and visitors to prepare and stay safe in the coming months. Learn more at: www.weather.gov/phi/dewinterweek

Winter can bring extreme cold, ice, snow, and high winds—knocking out power and heat and causing hazardous travel conditions, sometimes with deadly results. Last year, winter storms and extreme cold were responsible for 97 deaths in the United States, according to the National Weather Service. This includes the “once in a generation” late-December blizzard that brought 70 m.ph. winds and more than 50 inches of snow to Buffalo, New York, causing at least 47 deaths.

Experts say last year’s mild winter is no indication of what’s to come. Even though 2022-2023 was among the least snowy on record in the Mid-Atlantic, forecasts indicate a moderate to strong El Niño pattern, which could result in a few major winter storms despite a trend toward slightly above average temperatures and precipitation. Preparing now can greatly reduce any potential impacts from severe weather. The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is urging everyone to: make a plan, build a home and car emergency kit, and stay informed on the latest conditions. Visit PrepareDE.org for more resources.

“Winter storms can arrive quickly and with little warning. Being prepared ensures the safety and well-being of families throughout the season. We encourage residents to take time to update their emergency kits and make sure their vehicle is ready for hazardous travel conditions,” said Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Nathaniel McQueen, Jr.

Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski added, “DelDOT is preparing for the upcoming winter months, and we encourage everyone to take time to ensure their vehicles are ready for winter weather by replacing wiper blades, checking the condition of tires, and having a car emergency kit. It is also extremely important for drivers to slow down, not crowd snowplows, and avoid travel when conditions are at their worst, if possible.”

 
Each day of Winter Weather Awareness Week, social media will focus on a different topic with tips to be ready for whatever winter brings.

 

KEY MESSAGES

  • Stay informed about current weather, winter storm forecasts, travel advisories, and warnings.
  • Sign up for the Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS) at de.gov/dens to learn about emergency closings or hazardous conditions.
  • Download the FEMA Mobile App and set up local alerts.
  • Dress in layers appropriate for the conditions and learn the signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
  • If possible, avoid travel by car. However, if driving, be prepared for snow and icy conditions that can impact roadways. Check ahead on road conditions with the free DelDOT mobile app.
  • Build and stock a basic emergency kit and vehicle emergency kit. Learn how at PrepareDE.org.
  • Prepare your home and car for extreme cold temperatures, such as weatherproofing your house and winterizing your vehicle by checking or replacing lights, tires, wiper blades, and other items.
  • Bring pets or animals in during winter storms and freezing temperatures and stock pet supplies.
  • Preparedness takes a team: “buddy up” to help those with access and functional needs.

 

STAY INFORMED ON WEATHER

The National Weather Service-Mount Holly (NWS) issues the latest weather conditions and forecasts for Delaware as well as official winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories. NWS also has a Winter Weather Dashboard that shows the short-term forecast for winter weather conditions in the three-state region that includes Delaware. Get to know the following winter weather terms and what they mean:

  • Freezing Rain – Rain that freezes when it hits the ground: covering roads, trees, and power lines.
  • Sleet – Rain that turns to ice before reaching the ground.
  • Hypothermia – Illness caused when body temperature drops below what’s needed to be healthy.
  • Frostbite – A medical condition when skin or body tissue is damaged from freezing.
  • Frost/Freeze Warning – Below freezing temperatures are expected.
  • Winter Weather Advisory – Cold, ice, and snow are expected.
  • Winter Storm Watch – Severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two.
  • Winter Warning – Issued when snow or sleet is expected in the next few hours or the next day.
  • Blizzard Warning – Heavy snow and strong winds will produce a blinding snow, near zero visibility, deep drifts, and life-threatening wind chill.

 

ROAD AND TRAVEL SAFETY

While Delaware did not experience any significant snow or ice impacts this past winter, DelDOT reminds motorists to slow down and adapt their driving to the road conditions, give plows plenty of space on the roads, and take the time to remove snow and ice from their vehicles before traveling. The free DelDOT mobile app provides news, updates, and access to more than 100 cameras to view road conditions before traveling.
 

DRIVING RESTRICTIONS

If there is a declared State of Emergency (SOE) due to weather, officials can issue driving restrictions statewide or in one or more counties under Delaware Code.

There are three levels of restrictions:

  • Level 1 Driving Warning: Motorists are to “exercise extra caution in the operation of their motor vehicle” and encouraged “not to operate a motor vehicle… unless there is a significant safety, health, or business reason to do so.”
  • Level 2 Driving Restriction: Travel on Delaware roads is restricted to “essential personnel” such as public or private snow removal operators and those “necessary to maintain the core functions of a government body or entity, and to maintain the health and safety of the people in Delaware including health-care services, and food and fuel deliveries during a state of emergency, regardless of whether they are employed by a public or private entity.”
  • Level 3 Driving Ban: “No person shall operate a motor vehicle on Delaware roadways … except those persons designated as first responders and essential personnel, including public utilities… and operators of snow removal equipment employed or contracted by a public or private entity.”

 

OTHER WINTER HAZARDS AND RISKS

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: The use of alternative heating sources, such as space heaters and generators, during power outages can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if not used safely.
Home Fires: Increased use of heating sources, holiday decorations, and cooking during the winter season can elevate the risk of home fires.
Isolation and Mental Health: Extended periods of cold and darkness during the winter can lead to feelings of isolation and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), affecting mental health.
Lack of Supplies: Snowstorms and severe weather can result in shortages of essential supplies, making it challenging to access food, water, and medical necessities.
Snow Removal Injuries: Clearing snow and ice from driveways and walkways can lead to physical injuries, such as back strain or heart attacks, especially for those not accustomed to strenuous activity.

 
National Weather Service Links:

DelDOT Links:

DEMA Links:

Resources on Winter Preparedness: