Winter Weather Awareness Week – December 7-11

Smyrna, DE – As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, we must be reminded of the hazards winter brings. Every year, winter weather conditions such as snow and freezing temperatures cause deaths, injuries, illnesses, and property damage in Delaware. Last year’s mild winter is not an indicator of what’s to come this year, so the time is now to brush up on some winter weather terminologies and start preparing.  Being prepared can help save lives, prevent injury, and save money.  To encourage everyone to prepare for the impacts of winter, December 7 through 11 is Winter Weather Awareness Week.  

 

For Winter Weather Awareness Week, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and PrepareDE are partnering with the National Weather Service-Mount Holly, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), and the University of Delaware Center for Environmental Monitoring and Analysis (CEMA).  During Winter Weather Awareness Week, participating agencies will provide information via social media, explaining the risks associated with various types of winter hazards (snow, ice, extreme cold, etc.) and provide tips on how to prepare for these extreme conditions.  They will also be sharing fun facts about past weather events in Delaware.   

 

During Winter Awareness Week, we encourage all Delawareans to become familiar with common risks during the winter months. Be prepared for snow and icy conditions that could impact travel on roadways, make sure you have emergency kits in your vehicle and at home, and ensure your home and vehicle are prepared for the extreme cold temperatures the state often experiences. Be prepared to bring your pets/animals inside in the event of a winter storm and freezing temperatures.  

 

While Delaware did not experience any significant snow or ice impacts this past winter season, DelDOT wants to remind motorists to slow down and adapt their driving to the road conditions, give our plows plenty of space on the roads, and take the time to remove snow and ice from their vehicles before traveling. The free DelDOT mobile app also provides access to more than 100 cameras statewide to view current road conditions before traveling.

 

“DelDOT has already begun preparations and will be ready to respond to any winter weather event. We encourage all motorists to take the time during Winter Awareness Week to assess the condition of their vehicles and be prepared for whatever this upcoming winter may bring,” offered Nicole Majeski, Acting Secretary of Transportation.

 

With COVID-19 cases on the rise and people moving indoors due to the colder temperatures, continue to practice COVID-19 precautions; wear a mask, avoid large in-door gatherings, self-quarantine and get tested if you have any symptoms or have come in contact with a someone who has COVID-19, and wash your hands often. 

 

To stay informed this winter, please utilize the following resources and give these agencies a “like” and “follow” on all social media platforms:  

 

National Weather Service-Mount Holly for weather conditions and will issues winter storm warnings: 

DelDOT to check road conditions before travel: 

DEMA 

PrepareDE for tips on how to be prepared this winter for and all hazards in Delaware: 

Center for Environmental Monitoring and Analysis (CEMA) 

 

Follow Delaware Emergency Management Agency on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact: Jeff Sands, Delaware Emergency Management Agency, 302-659-2211.

Winter Weather Awareness Week Begins November 11

(Smyrna) – Every year, winter weather conditions cause deaths, injuries, and illnesses in Delaware, and throughout the United States.  Awareness of the various hazards and ways to deal with them can make a large difference in how people are impacted.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is partnering with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, NJ, multiple state agencies, the Center for Environmental Monitoring and Analysis at the University of Delaware, and the City of Wilmington, among others.   During Winter Weather Awareness Week, participating agencies and organizations will provide information via social media and other venues, explaining the hazards associated with various types of winter hazards or conditions (snow, ice, extreme cold, fire safety, and pet safety), how to prepare for them, and how to stay safe during weather extremes.

Increased awareness of the dangers presented by winter weather extremes can lead to better preparedness and a better way to avoid becoming a victim of severe conditions.  As we begin to experience some of the colder temperatures this week, the public is reminded that cold temperatures bring about conditions that create hazards to health and safety.

DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center closing Sept. 28 for winter, reopening April 1, 2020

SLAUGHTER BEACH – DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion Harbor Reserve will close for the winter Saturday, Sept. 28, and will reopen Wednesday, April 1, 2020 for the busy spring and summer seasons. The center is owned and operated by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife and provides programming and exhibits about Delaware Bayshore aquatic life.

During the winter closure, the DuPont Nature Center’s handicap-accessible observation deck will remain open from dawn to dusk daily. The deck offers views of the Mispillion Harbor and surrounding saltmarsh and sandy beach habitat as well as a view of the Delaware Bay. During this time, visitors may see wildlife such as foxes, raccoons, bald eagles, northern harriers, and a variety of waterfowl such as buffleheads, hooded mergansers, and common goldeneye. Though the nature center is recognized as a place to view the spring shorebird migration, the viewing deck also provides excellent opportunities to see shorebirds like dunlin, sanderlings, and black-bellied plovers in the fall and winter months as well.

The nature center deck will not be actively maintained while the center is closed. Visitors are advised to take into consideration weather conditions prior to accessing the deck.

DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center is located at 2992 Lighthouse Road, east of Milford. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information about the DuPont Nature Center and its programs, please call 302-422-1329 or visit http://de.gov/dnc.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 239

DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation reminds public that dunes in state parks are closed to sledding and snowboarding

REHOBOTH BEACH – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation reminds residents and visitors that sledding, snowboarding, and other recreational activities are not allowed on Delaware’s dunes.

Dunes contain fragile wildlife habitat and also provide protection for the beaches and the communities that border them.

Besides asking the public to help protect the dunes, the Division of Parks & Recreation also advises that, except for marked crossings, the dunes in Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore state parks are closed year-round to pedestrian traffic and recreational activities.

Media contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 49, No. 5

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DNREC winter reminder: Dunes in state parks closed to sledding and snowboarding

Rehoboth Beach – With winter now in full force and predictions of snow in the forecast, DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation reminds residents and visitors that sledding or snowboarding are illegal on dunes within Delaware state parks.

“Dunes contain fragile habitat and provide protection for the beaches and the communities that border them,” said Pat Cooper, Cape Henlopen State Park superintendent. “Recent storms have already caused some damage, so we’re asking the public to help protect the dunes.”

Except for marked crossings, dunes are closed year-round to pedestrian traffic and activities in Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore state parks.