DNREC’s special summer issue of Outdoor Delaware magazine now available

DOVER – A special issue of DNREC’s award-winning, flagship publication, Outdoor Delaware magazine – featuring “50 Ways to Escape the Ordinary” – is hot off the press and available as a free gift to new subscribers.

Articles in the issue highlight unusual or off-the-beaten-track places to go and see on DNREC lands, including awesome trails, fun festivals, Bayshore stops, towers to visit, the best places to take photos or wet a line, water trails, historic attractions, places to eat, and much more.

Be the first to get this, and each edition, in a glossy, coffee-table version. Subscriptions are $8 for one year, $15 for two years, and $20 for three years.

Outdoor Delaware, DNREC’S conservation magazine, has been in circulation since 1956. It is published four times each year and presents 32 pages of stunning photography and engaging, informative articles on how everyone can preserve and protect our precious natural resources.

More information, including how to subscribe online is available at: https://de.gov/outdoordelaware.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 151


Travel Advisory for Friday, May 5, 2017

The Delaware State Police (DSP) and Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) are advising motorists to expect travel delays throughout the morning and early afternoon hours of Friday, May 5, 2017, due to the funeral services for Corporal Grade 1 Stephen J. Ballard.

DSP and DelDOT have issued the following specific information regarding road closures. Please plan accordingly for your commute. Non-essential state employees may request approval in advance to use accrued annual leave or flex their schedule, if operationally feasible, in order to avoid the anticipated heavy traffic time periods. Essential state employees report as scheduled.

  • The northbound lanes of I-95 between the Christiana Mall (Exit 4A) and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard (Exit 6) will be closed beginning at 6 a.m. and will be opened after the procession of emergency vehicles to travel to the Chase Center on the Riverfront; additionally a second closure of the northbound lanes between the Christiana Mall (Exit 4A) and the Martin Luther King Jr, Boulevard (Exit 6) will be closed beginning at 8 a.m. for the last procession of emergency vehicles to travel to the Chase Center on The Riverfront.

 

  • Northbound I-95 traffic will be significantly impacted and will be utilizing alternate routes of DE 896, US 40, DE 273, and US 13; motorists can expect delays on these routes with the increased diverted volume of traffic.

 

  • The funeral procession will then depart the Riverfront at approximately 12 p.m. and travel to the Gracelawn Cemetery located at 2220 North DuPont Highway, New Castle.

 

  • The procession is scheduled to use the following route:
    • Justison Street – Martin Luther King Boulevard – South Market Street – North DuPont Highway – Lovelace Avenue (U-turn) to Gracelawn Memorial Cemetery.

 

  • DART will be offering free shuttle service from the Route 273 and Route 7 Park & Ride to the Chase Center at the Wilmington Riverfront beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 9 a.m. Return service to the Park & Ride from the Chase Center will between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

 

  • DART will also be adjusting regular bus services to avoid road closures. Delays can be expected. Commuters can also use SEPTA’s Wilmington/Newark Line from Newark and Fairplay Stations to avoid delays. Visit www.dartfirststate.com for more details.

 

  • Members of the public wishing to attend the services for Corporal Ballard are asked to use off-site parking as access to the Chase Center will be restricted.

 

  • Motorists may adjust their routes or travel times by using DelDOT’s Smartphone application. The DelDOT App is available for Apple & Android smart phones and tablets, and can be downloaded free, search for “DelDOT” at the Apple and Google Play stores. With the DelDOT App you can view real time traffic cameras, travel times, delays, advisories, DART’s Real-Time Transit Information, and also listen to WTMC 1380 AM.


Storm Report #4 – Wednesday Midday January 22 (11:30am)

(Smyrna) – The State of Emergency in Delaware was lifted by Governor Jack Markell at 10am this morning, along with the Level 1 Driving Warning.  All state offices are closed today, during the regular business hours of 8am to 4:30pm.  Non-essential state employees are not to report for work during this period, while essential employees should report as scheduled.  Government offices in all three counties as well as the cities of Wilmington, Newark, Dover and others across the state also closed today.

Winds will be 15-20 MPH today with gusts up to 30 MPH.  Bitterly cold air will through the remainder of the week and temperatures are not expected to rise above freezing until Saturday.  The cold and wind are combining to create dangerous wind chills.

Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) reports that salt is ineffective on roads when temperatures are in the single digits, and crews are working against winds that blow snow back onto cleared roads.  Major roads in New Castle and Kent Counties are covered with ice and slush, and the speed limit on I495 and the Roth Bridge (SR 1) is reduced to 45 MPH.  The snow ended later in Sussex County this morning where roads are wet with light snow and minimal accumulation.   Travel will remain hazardous due to snow covered roadways and drifting, and those conditions will continue throughout the day Wednesday.  The commute on Wednesday afternoon will be impacted by blowing and drifting snow, especially in open areas.

There were a total of 1,721 power outages across the state, with most occurring this morning when 1686 Delaware Electric Cooperative customers in Sussex County lost electricity.  As of 11am, fewer than 500 customers of Delmarva Power and Delaware Electric Cooperative are without power.

All school districts in Delaware are closed today.  Wednesday, January 22nd.  Some colleges and universities have posted their status on school websites, with Wilmington University and Goldey-Beacom and Wesley Colleges closed.  Delaware Technical and Community College Stanton, Wilmington, Terry and Owens campuses are closed.  The University of Delaware will be opening at noon.


Storm Report #2 – Tuesday Evening January 21 (9:30pm)

(Smyrna) – A State of Emergency and Level 1 Driving Warning remain in effect for the entire State of Delaware, declared at 2pm by Governor Jack Markell, who previously ordered state offices closed at noon, sending all non-essential personnel home.  The Delaware Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated at noon, and Governor Markell has issued a verbal authorization permitting the Delaware Guard to take responsive and precautionary actions directed by the director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), in consultation with Department of Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Louis Schiliro, upon request by local authorities.

The 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 National Weather Service says significant snowfall will taper off through the overnight period from west to east as bitterly cold air settles into the area.  As the storm continues to get stronger, winds will become gusty, which will result in areas of blowing and drifting snow.  As the storm moves out of the area, bitterly cold air will continue tonight and Wednesday.

In New Castle County, the Winter Storm Warning continues in effect until 6am Wednesday morning, while the Wind Chill Advisory will be effective from 1am until 11am Wednesday.

Snow amounts are forecast from 8-14 inches in New Castle County.  The higher amounts of snow will generally be closer to the Delaware River.  Snow will taper off overnight.  Travel will remain hazardous due to snow covered roadways, low visibility and drifting, and will continue through Wednesday morning.  The commute on Wednesday morning will be impacted by blowing and drifting snow, especially in open areas.  In the meantime, winds will be out of the north at 15-25 MPH with gusts open to 35 MPH, changing later to northwest.  Temperatures will be in the teens, dropping to single digits overnight, and wind chills will be as low as 15 degrees below zero.

For Kent and Sussex Counties, the Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 6am Wednesday, while the Wind Chill Advisory will be effective from 1am until 11am Wednesday.

Snow totals in Kent County are now forecast at 6-8 inches, with 4-6 inches expected in Sussex County.  Snow will gradually taper off overnight, but travel will be hazardous because of slippery roads, low visibility and blowing and drifting snow.  Those conditions will affect the Wednesday morning commute.

Actual snow accumulations vary from nearly 9 inches near Hockessin (Northern New Castle County) to less than an inch near Selbyville (Sussex County) with just over 3.5 inches in the Dover area (Kent County).

Winds will come from the north at 15-25 MPH, with gusts up to 40 MPH, then move from the northwest.  Temperatures will fall from the teens to the single digits, with wind chills as low as 15 degrees below zero.

The speed limit on Interstate 495 has been reduced to 45 MPH.  In Kent County, major roads are covered with snow, ice and slush, with heavy snow falling at times.  Major roads in Sussex County are generally reported to be wet with light snow, and a minimal accumulation so far.  All bridges are open, but the speed limit on the Delaware Memorial Bridge has been lowered to 30 MPH.

There have not been any reports of widespread power outages in the state; however residents should be prepared in the event that high winds and snow accumulations bring down power lines.

All school districts in Delaware will be closed on Wednesday, January 22nd.


Storm Report #1 – Tuesday Afternoon January 21 (4:30pm)

(Smyrna)

(Smyrna) – Delaware Governor Jack Markell declared a State of Emergency and Level 1 Driving Warning today for the entire state.  Governor Markell had previously ordered state offices closed at noon, sending all non-essential personnel home.

The 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.”

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 Delaware.  The National Weather Service (NWS) posted a Winter Storm Warning that is in effect until 6am, Wednesday, January 22.  NWS forecasters say that as much as 8-14 inches of snow could fall in New Castle County, 4-8 inches in Kent and much of Sussex County, with 6-8 inches in southern Sussex County.

The weather conditions bring two problems to the state – snow accumulations and high winds.  High winds will cause patchy areas of snow and ice, along with drifts on roadways.  Drivers should use extreme caution throughout the storm period.  The other problem is the extreme cold associated with this weather.  Temperatures will drop overnight across the state, and by morning, wind chills could register around -7 degrees Fahrenheit.  Those venturing outside should dress appropriately as hypothermia is a possible danger.  Pets should be sheltered or brought indoors.

Roads were pre-treated by the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) with brine, a water and salt mixture, as early as Monday in anticipation of the snowstorm.  DelDOT crews are currently salting roadways.  Road conditions statewide will worsen as the snow and wind continue.  Motorists should reduce speeds appropriately based on road conditions.  Delaware State Police are reporting wet and slippery roads across the state, with some roadways snow covered.  State Police are also reporting numerous traffic accidents across Delaware.

Governor Markell had previously ordered state offices closed at noon, sending all non-essential personnel home.

The 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.”

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 Delaware.  The National Weather Service (NWS) posted a Winter Storm Warning that is in effect until 6am, Wednesday, January 22.  NWS forecasters say that as much as 8-14 inches of snow could fall in New Castle County, 4-8 inches in Kent and much of Sussex County, with 6-8 inches in southern Sussex County.

The weather conditions bring two problems to the state – snow accumulations and high winds.  High winds will cause patchy areas of snow and ice, along with drifts on roadways.  Drivers should use extreme caution throughout the storm period.  The other problem is the extreme cold associated with this weather.  Temperatures will drop overnight across the state, and by morning, wind chills could register around -7 degrees Fahrenheit.  Those venturing outside should dress appropriately as hypothermia is a possible danger.  Pets should be sheltered or brought indoors.

Roads were pre-treated by the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) with brine, a water and salt mixture, as early as Monday in anticipation of the snowstorm.  DelDOT crews are currently salting roadways.  Road conditions statewide will worsen as the snow and wind continue.  Motorists should reduce speeds appropriately based on road conditions.  Delaware State Police are reporting wet and slippery roads across the state, with some roadways snow covered.  State Police are also reporting numerous traffic accidents across Delaware.