State of Delaware Offices in New Castle County Opening Late

Wilmington – State offices in New Castle County are operating on a 2 hour delay today. DelDOT crews again worked through the night treating the roads from the snow received last night and any icy spots caused by the fluctuating temperatures. Drivers should exercise caution when operating vehicles statewide today, but particularly in areas that received snow last night and local roads that have had less traffic. Those roads may be slippery and drivers should proceed cautiously.

DOVER – State of Delaware offices in New Castle County will open at 10 a.m. Non-essential employees who live or work in New Castle County do not report until 10 a.m. Essential employees are to report as scheduled.

(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