(Smyrna) – A Winter Storm Warning, issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), remains in effect for New Castle and Kent Counties until 4:00pm today, March 3^rd.  Sussex County is also under a Winter Storm Warning until 6:00pm today.

Governor Jack Markell issued a State of Emergency and a Level 1 Driving Warning, both of which went into effect at midnight.  Delaware law states, a “Level 1 Driving Warning” means 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.”

Sunday afternoon, Governor Markell issued an Executive Order authorizing the Delaware National Guard, as directed by the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) to take precautionary or responsive actions upon request by local authorities.  DEMA activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as of 8:00pm, Sunday night.  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.

State of Delaware offices are closed today, during regular business hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Non-essential employees are not to report to work for this period. Essential employees are to report as scheduled.

The forecast still calls for New Castle and Kent Counties to see 6-10 inches of snow from the storm.  Inland Sussex County is forecast at 4-8 inches of snow with lesser amounts at coastal areas.  Snow will fall moderate to heavy at times before ending late afternoon.  Winds will be 10-15 MPH with gusts up to 25 MPH in New Castle and Kent Counties.  Slightly higher winds are expected in Sussex County, with gusts up to 35 MPH.

Road and weather conditions will have varying impacts on the morning rush hour. Motorists should allow extra time for their morning commute, reduce speeds, and use extreme caution while driving.  The speed limit on Interstate 495 in New Castle County has been reduced to 45 MPH.  DelDOT is plowing and salting roadways in New Castle County, and watching conditions downstate.

All public schools in Delaware are closed today.  The University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Wilmington University, Wesley College, and Delaware Technical and Community College are also closed.

Near-record cold weather will follow the storm on Monday, as temperatures in some portions of the state could be in the single digits Monday night and overnight until Tuesday.

Wilmington, DE – Governor Jack Markell announced he has lifted the State of Emergency with Level One Driving Warning for New Castle County, effective at 2 p.m. today. The State of Emergency with a Level 1 Driving Warning was lifted in Kent County at noon. Road conditions throughout the state have improved since this morning, but some roads still have snow and ice on them. Drivers should continue to exercise caution if they must travel. DelDOT will continue to plow and salt roads as necessary. 

“Thousands of State workers have been working across Delaware throughout the duration of this event and we are incredibly grateful for their efforts,” said Governor Markell.  “Road conditions continue to improve, but motorists should continue to be careful, as snowy and icy spots still exist and additional snowfall is expected in the northern part of the state.”

An additional 1 – 3 inches is forecasted to fall sometime this evening in New Castle County. State officials will continue to monitor the weather and road conditions and will take any appropriate action, including possibly re-instituting a state of emergency if weather conditions require. 

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Executive Department

Dover

TERMINATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY

             WHEREAS, Kent County and New Castle County experienced significant accumulation of snow in the past 18 hours, creating dangerous conditions on area roads; and

WHEREAS, I instituted a state of emergency in New Castle County and Kent County, effective at 5:00 a.m. today; and

WHEREAS, due to the improving condition of roads in Kent County, I ended the state of emergency in Kent County effective at noon today; and

WHEREAS, thanks to the efforts of the Department of Transportation and many state and local emergency responders, road conditions are improving and most are passable for travel, although some areas remain snow covered and icy, so drivers should continue to exercise caution;

NOW THEREFORE, I, JACK A. MARKELL, hereby declare:

1.      My declaration of a state of emergency, including the Level 1 driving warning,  dated February 13, 2014 is terminated for New Castle County as of 2:00 p.m. today.

2.      Pursuant to 20 Del. C. § 3116(a)(11), the Delaware National Guard shall continue to provide necessary assistance to state and local activities, at the discretion of the Adjutant General or his designee.

APPROVED this February 13, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. E.S.T.

Governor

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