DelDOT Issues Status Update for Current Weather Event

deldot1The snow has arrived

Snow has begun to fall in New Castle County, and DelDOT trucks are on the road in what promises to be a significant snow event.

More than 400 DelDOT pieces of equipment will be working during this storm, plowing snow, applying salt and providing support to emergency personnel where needed.

Yesterday, nearly all of the roads in Delaware were pretreated by DelDOT with brine: a salt and water mixture.

As the snow begins to fall, crews will focused on staying ahead of any snow accumulation on the major roads by plowing and applying salt.

Residents are urged to avoid driving unless necessary. If drivers encounter a plow, please stay back at least 1,000 feet from the rear of the plow, and never pass a plow if its blade is down.

Residents are also reminded that in case of significant weather events, the state of Delaware has a system of driving restrictions, with varying levels of restrictions, depending on the severity of the situation.

Those levels are explained in detail in DelDOT’s Snow FAQs.   Here is a link to the FAQs — http://deldot.gov/home/faq_snow/

 


Storm Report #3 – Friday Morning January 3rd (6:00am)

(Smyrna) – State offices are closed today, Friday, January 3, 2014 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.  Public schools will also be closed in Delaware.  Some private and charter schools have already reported closures.  Listen to local radio, watch television or check district and school websites for details.

Snow fell across the state overnight with various readings of accumulation, some as high as 7 inches.  Generally, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), Sussex County received 3 inches of snow, while 4-7 inches blanketed the rest of the state. Winter Storm Warnings posted by the National Weather Service remain in effect.  Snow should be tapering off through morning today.

Emergency crews will be dealing with high winds.  The top layer of snow is very light and winds will cause it to drift.  The bottom layer of snow is mostly ice because the early snowfall consisted of a wet snow.  DelDOT crews have been kept busy overnight trying to keep major roads clear, but drifting snow will cause plows to have to return to previously cleared roads, which will further delay DelDOT crews in their efforts to begin working on secondary and minor roads, and bus routes.

Gale warnings are posted along the coast and parts of the Delaware Bay, and Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect statewide.

Extreme cold during the day will also cause dangerous conditions for people who venture out.  Temperatures are expected to drop as the day goes along, and by tonight, some areas may see actual temperatures around 0°F, with wind chills below zero.  If people have to go out, they should dress in layers to stay warm. Hypothermia is a very real hazard in these conditions. If you have outdoor pets, get them shelter or bring them indoors.  Limit time spent outside clearing snow from driveways, sidewalks and vehicles.

Delaware State Police are reporting:

New Castle County

Road conditions are still the same, there are some lanes that are clear, but still others that are snow covered. TMC is working on main rds, 95,495, but some of the other main rds are down to one lane. Traffic is starting to pick up out on the road ways. Snow in New Castle Co has tapered off, but it remains very cold with strong winds and blowing snow.

Property Damage Accidents: 0

Personal Injury Accidents: 0

Disabled vehicles 2

 

Kent County

Roads are snow covered and slippery. Lights snow is falling with some drifting.

Personal Injury Accidents 0

Property damage accident 3

Disabled Vehicles 6

Traffic Hazards 0

 

Sussex County

Roads are still covered with snow, ice and slush. Secondary roads have drifts in some spots making them unpassable in the northern to central areas of county. Hardscrabble Rd in the area of Cross Keys Rd has power line down, fire units on scene. Still snowing at this time with some drifting on already plowed roads.

Personal Injury Accidents 0

Property damage accident 4

Disabled Vehicles 2

 

Despite trucks working overnight, DelDOT says that major roads across the state remain snow covered, with ice in some areas.  DelDOT is asking people who do not have to go out to stay at home.  Roads are not clear, and motorists run the risk of getting stuck in snow on secondary and minor roads.  Extremely low temperatures and wind chills will make pushing a stuck vehicle a dangerous proposition.


State of Delaware Offices CLOSED Today

DOVER – State of Delaware offices are closed today (Friday, January 3) 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.


Storm Report #2 – Friday Morning January 3rd (2:30am)

(Smyrna) – Officials at the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) continue to monitor the storm that has dropped snow statewide since starting early Thursday evening.  The Winter Storm Warnings statewide posted Thursday by the National Weather Service (NWS) remain in effect.  NWS continues the forecast that as much as 6-8 inches of snow could fall in New Castle and Kent Counties, with 3-5 inches in Sussex County.

The weather is creating two problems for Delaware – snow accumulations with high winds, and bitter, dangerous freezing temperatures.  Coastal Flood Advisories are in effect for Kent and Sussex Counties.

Winds are causing the snow to drift and create patchy areas on roadways, and extreme caution is needed by motorists.  The extreme cold that accompanied the snow is creating other problems.  Temperatures are in the teens overnight across Delaware; by morning, wind chills could be around -5 degrees Fahrenheit.  Those who are going outside should dress warmly, in layers, as hypothermia is a possible hazard. If you have outdoor pets, get them shelter or bring them indoors.

 

 

Delaware State Police are reporting:

New Castle County

At this time road conditions remain the same.  All major roads, are still snow covered, slick and wet.  These roads include I-95, I-495, US 13, SR 141, US 40, SR 896, as well as all secondary roads, which are snow covered and slick.  According to state police on the streets, all roads are open but dangerously slick and snow covered with drifting snow. Traffic has slowed some but still vehicles remain on the roadway. It is still snowing and very cold in New Castle Co.  Drivers are cautioned to watch for drifting snow from strong winds.  Visibility is low due to blowing snow.

Property Damage Accidents: 1

Personal Injury Accidents: 0

Disabled vehicles 10

 

Kent County

Roads are snow covered.  Light snow and mist.  On SR 1 at Exit 91, a white chevy HHR was left overnight, and will be removed during daylight.

Personal Injury Accidents 0

Property damage accident 3

Disabled Vehicles 5

Traffic Hazards 0

 

Sussex County

Roads are still covered with snow, ice and slush.  It is snowing, heavy at times.

Personal Injury Accidents 0

Property damage accident 2

Disabled Vehicles 4

 

DelDOT dropped the speed limit on I-495 to 45MPH early Thursday evening due to road conditions.  DelDOT crews pre-treated state roadways during daylight hours on Thursday with brine, and continue salting and plowing roadways statewide.

 

DelDOT says from the area of I-95 north to the state line, Primary, Secondary, and Minor roads along with Bus Routes are snow covered.  DelDOT says roads in New Castle County from Newark to the Kent County line, are wet & snow covered / Secondary roads, Minor roads and Bus Routes are snow covered 2 to 4 inches.  All roads are still passable at this time.  In Kent County, Primaries, Secondary roads, Minor roads and Bus Routes are snow covered with one and a half to 3 inches of snow.  In Sussex, Secondary roads, Minor roads & Bus Routes are snow covered by a half-inch to 3 inches.


Status Report #1 – Thursday Evening January 2 (10:15pm)

(Smyrna) – Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) officials, along with other emergency response agencies across the state are monitoring the snowstorm that is making its way through the state overnight.  The National Weather Service (NWS) posted a Winter Storm Warning for New Castle County earlier today, extended the warning to Kent and Sussex Counties Thursday evening, while increasing the amount of snow expected.  NWS forecasters are now saying that as much as 6-8 inches of snow could fall in New Castle and Kent Counties, with 3-5 inches in Sussex County.

The weather conditions bring two problems to the state – snow accumulations and high winds.  Coastal Flood Advisories are up for Kent and Sussex Counties.  Additionally, the winds will cause the snow to drift and create patchy areas on roadways.  Drivers should use extreme caution throughout the storm period.  The other problem is the extreme cold associated with this weather.  Temperatures will be in the teens overnight across the state, and by morning, wind chills could register around -5 degrees Fahrenheit.  Those venturing outside should dress appropriately as hypothermia is a possible danger.  Pets should be sheltered or brought indoors.

 

 

Delaware State Police report:

New Castle County

Main and secondary roads are still passable, however they are becoming snow covered. Only one lane is getting by on most major roads. It is snowing heavily and is windy. Roads are treacherous. 33 accidents and disabled vehicles in a two hour period.

Property Damage Accidents: 33

Personal Injury Accidents: 0

Disabled vehicles: 12

 

Kent County

Roads are snow covered or accumulating.

Personal Injury Accidents: 2

Property Damage Accidents: 9

Disabled Vehicles: 1

 

Sussex County

Primary and secondary roads in the north of county are starting to cover. Southern roads just wet. Snow is falling in all parts of county at this time.

Personal Injury: Accidents 0

Property Damage Accidents: 2

Disabled Vehicles: 0

 

DelDOT dropped the speed limit on I-495 to 45MPH earlier in the evening due to road conditions.