Wilmington – Governor Markell is traveling areas affected by Hurricane Sandy in order to survey damage and thank workers for their ongoing efforts.

“I am extremely grateful to the many state workers, emergency personnel and volunteers who have been working around the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of Delawareans,” said Markell. “Though there is significant damage from flooding and we are experiencing power outages across the state, Delaware certainly fared better than earlier forecasts indicated we would.”

The Governor began his tour at William Penn High School, which is serving as one of seven shelters in the state. From there, he surveyed the damage in the Southbridge section of the City of Wilmington and toured the Wilmington Emergency Operation Center. The Governor also stopped in Old New Castle, where he and Lt. Governor Denn saw the heavily damaged pier.

Planned stops for the remainder of the day include:

• 11:45 a.m. – Thank volunteers at State Health Operations Center at the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill (Smyrna, DE)
• 3:00 p.m. – Tour damage at Indian River Inlet Bridge. Due to the damage, there is a barricade at the Rt. 1 N side of the bridge. DelDot workers will meet reporters and drive them further in to survey the damage and meet with the Governor.

The Governor will be available for one-on-one interviews at the bridge.

Level 2 Driving Restriction Reduced to Level 1 Driving Warning;
Evacuation Areas Remain In Effect, And Entry Will Be Denied, While Flooding Is Assessed

Wilmington – Following an examination of road conditions by state highway crews and discussions with emergency management officials, Governor Jack A. Markell has scaled back the state’s driving restrictions throughout the State of Delaware.

Effective as of 8:30 a.m., Governor Markell lifted the Level 2 Driving Restriction and instituted a Level 1 Driving Warning throughout the state. Highway crews, troopers and other emergency officials began inspections of road conditions in early morning hours and will continue those efforts throughout the day. Because of heavy flooding and other damage, the previously-designated Evacuation Areas are still in effect and should not be entered at this time.

A complete list of the Evacuation Areas statewide can be found on the DEMA home page. The DEMA home page also includes maps of the Evacuation Areas for New Castle County, Kent County and Sussex County.

Although motorists are permitted to return to the roads, drivers are advised that many highways and streets remain closed as a result of storm-related damage. The high tide cycle that will move up the ocean coast and then the Delaware Bay and River between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. today may cause additional flooding and closures. The most recent listing of road closures and roads with water on them is set forth below, and may be found on DelDOT’s home page.

“Without minimizing the very real damage and destruction caused by this storm, particularly in our coastal areas, it thankfully appears that Hurricane Sandy did not cause the widespread statewide damage that the forecasts predicted as recently as yesterday afternoon,” said Governor Markell. “For that reason, it is appropriate to scale back driving restrictions across our state, while keeping the evacuation order in place in our hard-hit coastal and other flood-prone areas.”

Law enforcement and local officials will be preventing access to those areas until assessments can be made. City and county officials will decide when access to those areas will be allowed.

“Although travel will be possible through much of the state this morning, this is not a signal for people with homes and businesses in the seriously flooded areas to head back to check on damage. Access will be restricted in those areas while damage is assessed,” Gov. Markell said.

The state is remaining under a Level 1 Driving Warning due to numerous road closures for flooding, signal outages, and remaining impacts from both the storm and this morning’s high tides that may cause additional flooding in some areas.

All drivers are urged to exercise particular caution in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, and to be mindful of the road closures set forth below. There are also at least 16 traffic signals that are out, so motorists should be careful.

DART Transit Service will begin a “Saturday” level of service at 10 a.m. DART Paratransit will resume at 10 a.m., however will only be making medical trips. Tolls on I-95 will resume at noon and on Route 1 at 3 p.m.

List of Road Closures And Water On Road from DelDOT:

Sussex County:

· DE54 between Van Buren Ave & DE 1 – water on road
· Old Landing Road between DE 1 & Marsh Road – water on road
· Iron Branch Road near Possum Park Road – water on road
· Long Neck Road between Pot Nets Road & Massey Landing Road – water on road
· DE 54 between DE 1 & Harpoon Hanna’s – water on road
· Oak Orchard Road at River Road – water on road
· Chiefs Road between Road 297 & Road 312 – water on road
· DE 24 between Bay Farm Road & Long Neck Road – water on road
· State Forest Road between Bowden’s Garage & Gravally Branch Road – water on road
· Road 556 between Stein Highway & Road 556 – water on road
· Line Road between Stein Highway & Line Road – water on road
· Road 579 between Road 579 & Deer Forest Road – water on road
· Atlantic Avenue between Central Ave & Canal St – water on road
· Fawn Road between Road 5656 & Road 611 – water on road
· RT1 is closed between Dewey Beach and RD360 (Fred Hudson RD – North of Beathany Beach) Due to High Water
· Oyster Rocks RD is closed beginning at RT1 for the entire stretch of road with barricades allowing residents to leave, but not return.
· Prime Hook RD is closed beginning at RT1 Due to High Water
· FOWLER BEACH RD IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO EROSION /BETWEEN THE SLAUGHTER CREEK BRIDGE AND THE BAY
· CEDAR CREEK DRAWBRIDGE IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
· RT1 CLOSED BETWEEN RT54 & RT26
· Long Neck Rd between Rd 22C to Masseys Landing – Closed
· Savannah Rd. at Lewes Drawbridge – Closed
· Reed St; Bellview; Collins St. at Dewey limits, the whole road. – Closed
· Chandler Street at The town limits – Closed
· Magnolia St. in Milton at The town limits – Closed
· Front Street in Milton at The town limits – Closed
· Rt 5 Union St. at The town limits – Closed
· West Line Rd. between Hudson Rd to Lighthouse Rd – Closed
· Rt 16 between Graves Farm Rd. to Beach – Closed
· Main St. Frankford – Closed
· Beaver Damn rd – Closed
· Gum Rd – Closed
· Snake Road between Mt Pleasant & Woodland Ferry Road – high water
· Market Street between Delaware Drive & First St – roof in roadway
· S301 between DE 24 & Phillips Branch Road – high water
· S221 between S222 & S215 – flooded
· S38, entire roadway – flooded
· S244 between S38 & beach – flooded
· Old Mill Rd between DE 26 & DE 54 – flooded
· River Road between S297 & DE24 – flooded

Kent County:

· S MARKET ST Bennett’s Pier Rd BETWEEN DAVID RD AND FREDERICA RD
· CYPRESS BRANCH RD AT THE BRIDGE HAS WATER ACROSS THE ROADWAY
· Big Stone Beach rd just north of New Wharf Rd
· Front St in Leipsic – Closed
· Rte 9 at S Little Creek Rd – Closed
· Market St in Fredericka – Closed
· Bennett’s Pier Rd – Closed
· Ponderosa Dr between Plaindealing Rd & Nicholas Ln – Closed
· Kitts Humock Rd from refuge to the water – Closed
· Woodland Beach Rd @ Rt 9 – Closed
· Port Mahon Rd – Closed
· Rt 8 at Silver Lake Bridge – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Haletville Rd between Artis Dr & Wyoming Mill Rd – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Westville Rd between Grygo Rd & Mahon Corner Rd – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Hour Glass Rd @ Slaughter Stn Rd – WATER ON ROADWAY

· Rt 9 @ Flemings Landing Bridge – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Andrew Lake Road – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Still Rd @ Mahon Rd – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Fire Tower Rd between Tomahawk Rd and Evans Rd – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Fence Post Rd between Olin Dill & Turkey Point – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Berrytown Rd at Rt 12 – WATER ON ROADWAY
· John Hurd Rd at Spectrum Farms – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Mudmill east of Mahan Corner Rd – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Graves End Road between RT6 & Lighthouse Road – WATER ON ROADWAY
· RT 9 @ M&M Hunting Lodge – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Big Oak Rd in front of Big Oak Park – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Raymond Neck between Bear Swamp & Big Woods Rd – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Pickering Beach Road – passable, WATER ON ROADWAY
· Lockwood Chapel Road between Pearson’s Corner Road & Judith Road – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Foxhole Road near S Little Creek Road – WATER ON ROADWAY
· S Little Creek Road between Horsepond Rd & Little Creek Rd – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Fork Landing Rd between Rothermel and Tubmill Pond Rd – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Frederica Rd between Johnny Cake Landing & Rt 1 – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Fork Landing Rd between Tub Mill Rd & Carpenter Bridge – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Gyro Rd between Mahon Corner Rd & Westville Rd – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Salsibury Rd between Walker Rd & Rt 8 – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Farm Ln Between Olin Dill & Kersey Rd – WATER ON ROADWAY
· LongRidge Rd between Hollets Crn & NCCo Line – Large Tree in Roadway
· Daisy Rd at Rt 6 – Large Tree in Road
· Killens Pond Rd between Sandbox Rd & Rt 14 – WATER ON ROADWAY

New Castle County:

· Old State Rd reported with High Water
· Old Corbit Rd reported with High Water
· RT9 (East of Odessa) reported with High Water
· RT 13 SB ON MARKET STREET BRIDGE IS CLOSED
· IN ROSEVILLE DEVELOPMENT CHESTNUT AVE BETWEEN ROSE CR AND CEDAR ST CLOSED DUE TO HIGH WATER
· PHILADELPHIA PIKE BETWEEN SHIPLEY RD AND LEA BLVD IS FLOODED
· THOMAS CORNER RD BETWEEN TAYLORS BRIDGE RD AND THOMAS LANDING RD – HIGH WATER ON THE ROAD
· Rt 9 north of Port Penn – Closed
· Rt 9 at Twin Bridges – Closed
· Old Airport Rd at Nonesuch Creek – Closed
· Stanton Christiana Rd at Stanton Overpass – Closed
· Old Ogletown Rd at Avon Overpass – Closed
· Salem Church Rd at Reybold Rd – Closed
· Governor Lea Rd – Closed
· Rt 9 at Dobbinsville – Closed
· US 40 at School Bell Rd – WATER ON ROADWAY
· US 40 at Pleasant Valley Rd – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Rt 71 at Old Summit Bridge – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Rt 4 between Middleboro Rd & Wood Crest – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Mill Creek Rd between Graves Rd & Mendenhall Mill Rd – WATER ON ROADWAY
· Brackenville Rd between Old Wilm Rd & Lancaster Pk– Closed
· Rolling Mill Rd between Barley Mill Rd & Lancaster Pike – Closed
· Barley Mill Rd Between Rolling Mill Rd & Mt Cuba – Closed
· Barley Mill Rd Between Brackenville Rd & Rt 82 – Closed
· Sharpless Rd between Old Wilm Rd & Rt 82 – Closed
· Fox Den Rd between Paper Mill Rd & Polly Drummond Rd – Closed
· Rolling Mill Rd between Rt 48 & Rt 82 – Closed
· Grubb Rd between Marsh Rd & Coventry – Closed
· S Heald St between Rodgers Rd & New Castle Ave – Closed
· Gov Printz Blvd – Multiple points – Closed
· US13 southbound in area of Hearth Restaurant – Closed, wires & trees
· Welsh Track Rd between Welsh Tract & Ironside Rd – Closed, wires & trees
· Woods Rd from Howell School to Porter Rd – Closed, wires & trees
· Welsh Tract Rd between Whittaker Rd & Iron Side – Closed, wires & trees

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) reminds Delawareans of the importance of observing the following guidelines during and after a flood:

Safe Drinking Water
If you are advised to boil your drinking water, heat water at the highest possible temperature so that it bubbles constantly (a rolling boil). Continue to boil water for one minute, and then let it cool. Store in clean, covered containers. Residents can also disinfect water using household bleach. Add 1/8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach for each gallon of water. Stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes before using it. Bottled water is another safe alternative.

Food Safety
Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water. Food containers with screw-caps, snap lids, pull tops, and crimped caps are not considered waterproof. Also, discard cardboard juice/milk/baby formula boxes and home canned foods if they have come in contact with flood water. Discard canned foods with swelling, leakage, punctures, holes, fractures, extensive deep rusting, or dents that prevent normal stacking or opening.

Power Failure
Do not rely on appearance or odor of food; use a freezer thermometer. If the freezer thermometer reads 40 degrees F or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40 degrees F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook. Perishable food such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, and eggs not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause illness, even when thoroughly cooked. Keeping refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers) that has been above 40 degrees F for two hours or more. Buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic foot fully-stocked freezer cold for two days.

If you plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish or eggs while at safe temperatures, cook the food thoroughly to the proper temperature to kill bacteria. Wash fruits and vegetables with water from a safe source before eating.

For bottle feeding infants, use prepared, canned baby formula that requires no added water. When using concentrated or powdered formulas, prepare with bottled water if the local water source is potentially contaminated.

Clean Up
Floodwaters can dislodge tanks, drums, pipes and equipment which may contain hazardous materials such as pesticides or propane. Do not attempt to move unidentified dislodged containers without first contacting the local fire department or hazardous materials team. Wash skin that may have been exposed to pesticides and other hazardous chemicals frequently and thoroughly. Call the poison control center for additional instructions.

Wear protective gear and clothing, such as heavy shoes or boots, work gloves and safety glasses or goggles to help avoid accidental puncture wounds, cuts, abrasions, eye injuries and chemical exposure. Wear a hard hat when working under structures and trees. Select cool clothing that is cotton and tightly knit; long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants are recommended.

Assure proper ventilation when using fuel-burning equipment. Fuel-burning devices in closed areas pose a great risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Provide plenty of ventilation when using a gas-powered pump for flooded basements or a gas-powered generator for electricity. Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors.

Turn off the main gas valve at the meter if you smell leaking gas. Do not turn on lights or use torches or lanterns since they can ignite the gas. Leave the premises immediately and notify the gas company or the fire department.
Thoroughly wash countertops with soap and water, using hot water if available. Rinse, and then sanitize by applying a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Allow to air dry.

Mold
Open doors and windows or use blowers to force fresh air into flooded spaces. Extract excess water. Once water is removed, close doors and windows, run dehumidifiers and empty the water pan frequently.

After water has been pumped from the basement, shovel out the mud and debris while it is still moist. Hose down walls to remove as much silt as possible before it dries. Floors and walls may need sanitizing, particularly if sewage has entered the basement. Scrub walls and floors with a 10 percent bleach solution or other comparable commercially available disinfectant.

Oil stains in basements caused by overturned or damaged oil tanks may be a problem following flooding. Call a professional to remove oil residue.

Dealing with garbage and sewage can be challenging. Beware that sewage can backflow through floor drains into basements. Clean with a disinfectant. Never mix ammonia and chlorine bleach, which produces poisonous chloramine gas. If flood waters cause storm sewers to back up, fecal bacteria can be extremely dangerous. If sewage overflows in your home, wait for water to recede, then clean and sanitize all affected surfaces with bleach as soon as possible. After coming into contact with sewage or floodwater, wash your hands well and use a brush to clean under fingernails.

Residents with questions about flood recovery can contact the Delaware Division of Public Health’s (DPH) Storm Recovery call center at 866-408-1899. The call center is scheduled to be open on Tuesday, October 30 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) to 4:30 p.m., and 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31 to Friday, November 2, 2012. Hours may be subject to change due to call volume and storm conditions. For updated call center hours, follow Twitter #SandyDe or #StormDE.

For fact sheets on flood preparedness and recovery, visit the DPH website at: www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/floodhealthinfo.html.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.