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:

• NWS Philadelphia/Mt. Holly Website: weather.gov/phi/
• Facebook: facebook.com/NWSMountHolly
• X (formerly Twitter): @NWS_MountHolly

DelDOT Links:

• Download the free DelDOT mobile app
• Travel Advisories: http://deldot.gov/Traffic/travel_advisory/#advisories
• WTMC Radio: 1380 AM statewide
• Facebook: facebook.com/DelawareDOT
• X: @DelawareDOT

DEMA Links:

• Website: DEMA.delaware.gov
• Facebook: facebook.com/DelawareEMA
• X: @DelawareEMA
• 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.

Provides information on insurance processes for property damage

As Tropical Storm Isaias approaches Delaware, residents are urged to prepare for dangerous winds over 55 miles per hour and up to 6 inches of rain. Storm surges, localized flooding, tree damage, power outages, and other threats to life and property are possible, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Rain is expected Monday evening, with the brunt of the storm arriving early on Tuesday.

“As models continue to show Delaware in the path of this storm, home and business owners should take steps to reduce property damage and stay safe,” said Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro. “Secure any outdoor items or furniture that could cause damage when windy conditions occur, charge your cellphones, gather emergency supplies, and make a plan about where you can take shelter away from windows at the peak of the storm. Keep in mind that roads may become difficult to navigate due to debris and tree damage, and never drive through a flooded area.”

Isaias is expected to hit Delaware Tuesday morning. Potential storm impacts include damage to porches, carports and other awnings, as well as roofing and siding, with impacts on mobile homes more significant. NWS expects uprooted or snapped trees in addition to flooding, causing impassable roadways and power outages in some places. Storm surges are likely, and tornadoes are possible.

In advance of storms, residents are urged to locate important documents, including homeowners and auto insurance policies and company contact information, as well as a complete a home inventory. If your property is damaged by Tropical Storm Isaias, contact your insurer before you clean up or make repairs, and photograph all damage. After speaking with your insurer and photographing damage, take action to prevent further damage by covering broken windows, damaged walls, or leaking roofs, but do not make permanent repairs. Your insurance company should inspect the property and estimate the cost of permanent repairs. Save all receipts and documentation, including those related to temporary repairs.

Hurricane season lasts well into the fall, and residents should make plans and take precautions now to reduce future risks, including exploring flood insurance. More than 20 percent of flood insurance claims are for properties outside of high-risk areas. Flood insurance policies typically take 30 days to go into effect. For more information about FEMA’s flood insurance program and to find an agent in your area, visit FloodSmart.gov or call 1-800-427-4661.

For more information on how to prepare your home for inclement weather, visit the Department of Insurance Disaster Preparedness page.

DOVER – DNREC’s Shoreline & Waterway Management Section and the City of Lewes will begin erecting fencing along the bay side of the primary dune at Lewes Beach during the first week of November. The fencing is designed to help protect the dune’s fragile habitat, and act as a deterrent to area residents leaving personal effects and items on the dune that can damage it. The dune-fencing project is expected to take two weeks for completion, depending on weather conditions.

In August, the Shoreline & Waterway Management Section within DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship distributed flyers by mail to area residents asking them to remove any items, such as bikes, boats, kayaks and other water sports equipment from the dune before the fencing project began. Any such personal property remaining on the dune at the start of the project will be removed by DNREC staff.

Earlier this summer, DNREC also placed signage at Lewes Beach reminding beachgoers to stay out of the dune. Lewes Beach residents and visitors were advised to use only existing pathways through the dune when crossing it.

The Shoreline & Waterway Management Section notes that for a dune to best provide protection for coastal communities, a continuous dune line must be maintained. Structures and recreational equipment illegally placed in the dune area, along with heavy use of dunes by pedestrians for access to the beach, can destroy vegetation, and lower the elevation of the dune, thereby reducing the dune’s protection capabilities.

Illegally-stored items also smother and kill the beach grass that supports and helps sustain the dune. Without beach grass, windblown sand is not trapped in the dune, creating weak spots that can be breached by flood waters during coastal storms.

For more information on dune protection, please contact DNREC’s Shoreline & Waterway Management Section at 302-739-9921 or the City of Lewes at 302-645-7777.

Wilmington, DE – With a severe winter storm expected to generate significant snowfall in New Castle and Kent Counties, as well as coastal flooding and strong sustained winds in Sussex County, Governor Jack Markell has issued a State of Emergency effective Friday, January 22 at 5:00 p.m., and a “Level 1 Driving Warning” effective Saturday, January 23 at 12:00 a.m. [See text below].

At the Governor’s request, Delaware National Guard and DelDOT began pre-positioning their resources yesterday in anticipation of this weekend’s storm.  The State of Emergency declaration allows the Governor to deploy the Delaware National Guard, DelDOT, first responders, and other agencies to open or close roadways and take other actions to protect public safety and property during the storm event.

According to state law, a “Level 1 Driving Warning” means that any person operating a motor vehicle on Delaware roadways must exercise extra caution. All nonessential employees, public and private, are encouraged not to operate a motor vehicle unless there is a significant safety, health or business reason to do so.

If the predicted forecast comes to fruition, the “Level 1 Driving Warning” is likely to be upgraded to a “Level 2 Driving Restriction” as roadway condition deteriorate Saturday. The Governor continues to monitor the forecast regularly and will remain in frequent contact with emergency management and transportation officials over the course of the storm.

According to state law, under a “Level 2 Driving Restriction,” no person may operate a motor vehicle on Delaware roadways, except for persons designated as “essential personnel” or who have received a waiver from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. The following persons are specifically designated as “essential personnel” under Delaware law:
•Operators of snow removal equipment (public and private);
•Persons providing public utility services;
•Persons providing healthcare services; and
•Persons providing food and fuel deliveries.

The National Weather Service has declared a Blizzard Warning for New Castle County and Kent and Sussex Counties are under a Winter Storm Watch. Residents are encouraged to avoid travelling area roads Friday night and Saturday, and Delaware residents in flood-prone areas in Kent and Sussex should seriously consider relocating during this time.

“With authorities predicting snowfall amounts of 12-18 inches, it is important that all Delawareans take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones”, said Governor Markell.  “Conditions are predicted to rapidly deteriorate during the overnight hours and through tomorrow, which will create hazardous driving conditions and the threat of flooding in low-lying coastal areas.  That’s why I’m urging Delawareans to find a safe place to be this weekend and to arrive there this evening, and why I’m asked all non-essential personnel to avoid travelling our roadways after the snow begins so that DelDOT and emergency crews can clear the roads and keep our citizens safe.”

Because of the amount of snow expected and duration of the snowfall, many roads will be snow-covered and could be impassable throughout the day tomorrow.  DelDOT has been working hard to prepare the roads for snow and to prepare its crews for a weekend of plowing.

DelDOT crews started applying brine solution to Delaware roadways on Wednesday, and have since completed those operations. All equipment used in snow removal operations have been checked and rechecked from the snow plows to the windshield wipers.  Plow trucks are being loaded with salt, and all normal snow removal preparations are underway.

DelDOT has Equipment Operators for 330 snow plows currently at work and on standby ready to act as the snowfall requires this evening and Saturday.

Yesterday, the Governor authorized the National Guard, in coordination with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, to pre-position its forces to assist local first responders with stranded motorists, flooding, and other emergencies that may require their attention. They will remain in position to assist Delawareans throughout the weekend.

Code Purple locations will open today in all three counties for individuals who are homeless and in need of shelter during the storm. More information, including a list of sites statewide, is available here. To be connected to Code Purple resources, call Delaware 2-1-1, search for “Code Purple” on the Delaware 2-1-1 mobile app or on its website at www.delaware211.org and click on the Code Purple button.

Winter Storm precautions released by the Department of Agriculture can be found here.

The Governor urges media and residents to check social media for continuous updates:
https://twitter.com/GovernorMarkell
https://twitter.com/DelawareDOT
https://twitter.com/DelawareEMA

Executive Department
Dover

DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR NEW CASTLE, KENT AND SUSSEX COUNTIES EFFECTIVE AT 5:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016

AND A LEVEL I DRIVING WARNING FOR NEW CASTLE, KENT AND SUSSEX COUNTIES EFFECTIVE AT 12:00 A.M. ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2016

DUE TO EXPECTED BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AND COASTAL FLOODING

WHEREAS, a significant winter storm is imminently forthcoming in the State of Delaware, and the National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for New Castle County and Kent County, Delaware, and a Winter Storm Warning for Sussex County, Delaware, beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 22, 2016, and ending at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 24, 2016; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service forecast for New Castle County and Kent County includes predictions of whiteout conditions, including snow accumulation of 12 to 24 inches in New Castle and Kent Counties, and snow accumulation of 4-8 inches in Sussex County, resulting in potentially hazardous road and travel conditions in all three counties; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service estimates that the strongest winds and greatest potential for blizzard conditions will occur during the day on Saturday, January 23, 2016, but urges extreme caution in road travel during the evening hours of Friday, January 22, 2016; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has also issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for New Castle County, Delaware, beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2016, and ending at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 24, 2016, potentially resulting in some tidal flooding and road closures; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Warning for Kent County, Delaware and Sussex County, Delaware, beginning at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2016, and ending at 12:00 noon on Sunday, January 24, 2016, and has predicted tidal flooding, resulting in road closures and many roads potentially being impassable on either side of Saturday morning’s high tide; and
WHEREAS, on January 22, 2016, I authorized the Delaware National Guard to assist state and local officials in all three counties with any necessary response and recovery activity for this severe winter storm; and
WHEREAS, the forthcoming winter storm is expected to create hazardous road conditions in all three counties that present an imminent danger to persons traveling on Delaware roads, as well potential danger to life, safety and property in all three counties;
NOW THEREFORE, I, JACK A. MARKELL, pursuant to Title 20, Chapter 31 of the Delaware Code, do hereby declare a State of Emergency for the entire State of Delaware.  This State of Emergency will be effective in all three counties on January 22, 2016, at 5:00 p.m., and shall continue until terminated as provided under state law.  The nature of the emergency includes projected blizzard conditions and possible road flooding in Northern Delaware, including New Castle and Northern Kent County, and high winds and coastal flooding in Sussex County, resulting potentially in hazardous road conditions throughout the State.  Along with such other actions authorized by Title 20, Chapter 31 of the Delaware Code, I specifically direct and authorize:
1. 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 (DEMA), in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS), necessary in those areas affected by the storm.

2. As of January 23, 2016 at midnight (12:00 a.m.), and until further notice, a Level 1 Driving Warning is in effect.  Any person operating a motor vehicle shall exercise extra caution in the operation of that vehicle 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.

3. In addition to the Level 1 Driving Warning, this Order constitutes notice to Delaware residents and businesses in all three counties that additional driving precautions or restrictions may be forthcoming in the morning of Saturday, January 23, 2016.

4. The Delaware National Guard shall take precautionary or responsive actions directed by the Director of DEMA, in consultation with the Secretary of DSHS, upon request by local authorities.

5. I authorize the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and the Delaware State Police, in consultation with DEMA and the Secretary of DSHS, to order such bridge and road closures as necessary to protect the health and safety of the public.

6. 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.

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Dover, DE — Delaware is facing a serious winter storm with the potential for blizzard conditions upstate and potential flooding, rain and heavy winds downstate. The National Weather Service has declared a Blizzard Watch for New Castle and Kent Counties, and Sussex County is under a Winter Storm Watch. The Governor urges Delawareans to begin factoring the storm into their preparations for the weekend, including changing travel plans to avoid traveling on area roads Friday night and Saturday. Delawareans who reside in flood-prone areas in Kent and Sussex Counties should consider relocating for the weekend.

“This looks like a serious storm and I hope Delawareans are treating it that way,” said Governor Markell.  “I encourage Delawareans to take precautions and stay tuned to weather forecasts and transportation updates as we go through the weekend. Tomorrow morning would be a good time to visit a Delaware library and prepare to hole up for the weekend with a good book.”

DelDOT has worked hard to prepare the roads for snow and to prepare its fleet for a weekend of plowing. If the snow falls as predicted, many roads will be snow-covered and may be impassable. For that reason, it is likely that a state of emergency and driving restrictions could become necessary this weekend. The Governor is monitoring the forecast regularly and is in regular touch with emergency management and transportation officials.

The Governor has authorized the National Guard, in coordination with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, to pre-position its forces to assist local first responders with stranded motorists, flooding evacuations, or any other emergency that requires their attention.

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