A storm to remember

Forecasters were projecting significant snowfall Jan. 3-4, and, at least this time, they got it right. The bomb cyclone dropped nearly a foot of snow on the Cape Region. Combined with single-digit temperatures in the days after, the snow paralyzed the area. 

C.R. McLeod, Department of Transportation’s director of community relations, said crews reported at 10 p.m., Jan. 3, and worked continuously through Sunday. 

“We had crews working very long days to clean up after the storm,” he said. 

DelDOT required a five-hour rest for every 24 hours on duty. 

He said more than 100 pieces of snow removal equipment were working just in the southern part of Sussex County during and after the storm. As of Jan. 8, he said, there were still two dozen plows working to clear Sussex roads. 

In Lewes, all 11 members of the Streets Department were out removing snow Thursday and Friday. The crew was scaled back Saturday, but work is ongoing and expected to continue through Wednesday, said City Manager Ann Marie Townshend.

This storm was particularly challenging, she said, because of the frigid temperatures and strong winds. Snow would blow back onto the streets as soon as they were cleared, she said. Lewes’ crews also had to deal with several vehicles stuck on the roads, blocking the plowing path. 

“I believe that our staff went above and beyond in dealing with the challenging conditions,” she said. “We have gotten compliments from residents about the job they did, especially given the brutal temperatures and wind.”

Townshend said the Streets Department staff and Lewes Police helped several motorists stuck in the snow. 

Rehoboth Beach received 10 to 12 inches of snow during the storm, City Manager Sharon Lynn said. As of Jan. 8, roadways in town were passable, although there are large piles of snow, and a number of sidewalks are still not clear.

Lynn said it is the city's policy to clear the primary roads, such as Rehoboth Avenue, Wilmington Avenue and Baltimore Avenue, first before moving to the secondary roads. The city ran three trucks plus a front-end loader to clear snow, and also got help from smaller vehicles from the Wastewater Department. 

"I think it's going well," she said. "They were out around the clock Thursday, Friday, Saturday with two shifts on Sunday. There's still work to be done. There's some areas that need to be cleared, certainly."

As for the sidewalks, Lynn said it is typically the businesses’ responsibility to clear the sidewalks in front of their stores, although the city helps wherever possible. 

Warren Jones, spokesman for the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, said emergency responders tended to a lot of slips and falls after the weekend storm.

“We helped dig people out and had a large number of EMS calls,” he said. “People were falling down and slipping.”

Jones said snow made it difficult for the ambulance to get through, so four-wheel drive vehicles accompanied ambulances to emergencies.

Robert Fulton, superintendent for Cape Henlopen School District, said parking lots at all the schools have been plowed and there was no storm damage at any buildings. He said officials continue to assess roadways and will determine whether to open for students Jan. 9. Students were off Jan. 8, and staff reported to school on a two-hour delay.

The sub-freezing temperatures and winter storm caused the Cape May-Lewes Ferry to shut down operations Jan. 4 through at least noon, Jan. 9.