(Smyrna) – Another round of precipitation will move through the state tonight beginning as rain, then changing over to snow.

National Weather Service forecasters say an additional 2-4 inches of accumulation could occur in northern Delaware, with 1-2 inches more of snow further south into Kent County.  this evening’s snow will also be wet and heavy and the danger it brings comes in the form of broken tree branches and downed power lines.  Winds will have sustained speeds of 20 to 25 MPH with gusts up to 35 MPH.  Temperatures will be dropping as the night progresses, which brings the possibility of ice to the state.  A Coastal Flood Advisory is posted, with concerns about the impact of the winds at high tide.

There have been scattered power outages across the state today, but currently Delmarva Power reports fewer than 50 customers without power.  Information on school closings, can be found on the State of Delaware School Closings website (http://schoolclosings.delaware.gov/).

Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) officials, along with the National Weather Service, are keeping an eye on a storm system that will move through the area on Friday that could bring a couple of inches of new snow overnight Friday into Saturday morning.

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

State of Emergency Remains Active for New Castle County

Wilmington, DE – Governor Jack Markell announced he has lifted the State of Emergency Level One Driving Warning for Kent County, effective at noon today. New Castle County remains under a State of Emergency with a Level 1 Driving Warning until further notice. Road conditions in Kent County have improved since this morning, but some roads still have snow and ice on them. DelDOT continues to work on plowing and salting roads and drivers should exercise caution, particularly on back roads or areas that become icy.

“If you have to go out on the roads today, please drive slowly and carefully,” said Governor Markell.  “Hundreds of DelDOT employees continue working to improve road conditions, but snowy and icy spots still exist and drivers should exercise caution.”

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 Executive Department

Dover

 TERMINATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

FOR KENT COUNTY

             WHEREAS, Kent County and New Castle County have experienced significant accumulation of snow in the past 16 hours, creating dangerous conditions on area roads; and

WHEREAS, through the significant efforts of Department of Transportation officials and state and local emergency responders, travel on many roads in Kent County is possible again; and

WHEREAS, response efforts continue throughout the State of Delaware, and road conditions in New Castle County remain challenging, particularly on secondary and local roads;

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 Kent County as of noon today.  The state of emergency and Level 1 driving warning shall remain in effect in New Castle County until further notice.

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.

3.      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 11:59 a.m. E.S.T.

Governor

(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.