Blizzard warning issued for Sussex County
Don’t put away the snow shovels just yet.
Another winter storm is bearing down on the Cape Region, and this one has the potential to be the worst one of the season. Rain, ice, wind and snow – lots of it – are in the forecast.
The dire weekend forecast forced organizers of the Lewes Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics to postpone all weekend activities. The event has been rescheduled for March 12-14. The snow total could reach as much as 20 inches in most areas of the county, said Valerie Meloa, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mt. Holly, N.J. Areas to the north could get 2 feet or more.
The Cape Region was placed under a blizzard warning from 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, to 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 6. The storm will be accompanied by sustained winds of nearly 30 mph with gusts exceeding 40 mph along the coast creating the potential for a nor’easter.
Debbie Jones, spokeswoman for Sussex County Emergency Operations, said the high winds could create serious problems. “The strong winds will not only cause blowing snow and drifting, there is the possibility of flooding along the coastline,” she said.
In addition, there could be power outages. “People should have their cars filled with gas and have at least a couple of days of supplies on hand, including special-need items like medicine,” she said.
She said the operations center is at high alert, including contacting potential shelter locations. “Residents should also be prepared,” she said. Jones said the area could get from 12 to 18 inches of snow, but if the track of the storm stays over central Delmarva, totals could reach and exceed 20 inches.
Two storm systems are approaching the Mid-Atlantic region – one that has soaked the South the past few days and another from the Midwest with blizzard conditions. Meola said the southern storm, which is similar to the storm that hit the area with 10 inches of snow last weekend, will have the greatest effect on the Mid-Atlantic region. “But this one will be much more widespread,” he said.
Meola said the storm could start as rain and a wintry mix around noon on Friday, especially in southern regions of the county, and change to all snow when the temperature drops at night. She said snow is expected to fall throughout the day Saturday.
Forecasters expect 12 to 24 inches of snow Friday night into Saturday, but high winds and high tides may also bring flooding.
Residents should prepare themselves with basic household supplies, including extra food and water, first-aid supplies, flashlights and batteries, a battery-powered weather radio, extra prescription medicines, baby items, an emergency heat source and sufficient heating fuel.
The Sussex County Emergency Operations Center will continue to monitor forecasts for the impending storm and work closely with other local and state governmental agencies. Further updates will be issued should they become necessary. Additional staff will be on standby in the event the operations center is activated.
No evacuations have been ordered, but emergency planners can activate sheltering if conditions warrant.
The emeergency operations center requests that residents and property owners with photographs of flooding or other storm damage send them through the County Web site. Visit www.sussexcountyde.gov/stormphotos to upload storm images.
Delaware Press Release
Cleaning, preparing and packing
State agencies and National Guard planning for winter storm
With a winter storm just 24 hours away, employees from agencies throughout Delaware are getting ready. Crews from Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) spent today performing maintenance, checking levels of supplies such as salt, sand as well as diesel fuel.
DelDOT will spend Friday pre-treating the roads with a salt and water mixture, called brine. With the recent shipment of more than 10,000 tons of salt, DelDOT's stockpile is now full, with 50,000 available for salt ready for snow operations.
"There has been a lot of warning with this storm, so hopefully, people will have made enough plans that they can stay off the roads this weekend," said Jim Westhoff, DelDOT spokesman. "The fewer vehicles on the road, the sooner we can clear the roads."
"The Delaware National Guard is working with its state partners to ensure the safety of the citizens of Delaware, said 2nd Lt. Nathan Bright, spokesman for Delaware National Guard. " We have ample Soldiers, Airmen and specialized equipment to assist DEMA and local relief efforts should they be needed. In past storms, our forces have provided transportation with our Humvees and large trucks, emergency power with diesel generators, and clean drinking water after the storm."
The Delaware State Police (DSP) is in the process of reassigning its four wheel drive assets to troops throughout the state to ensure troopers are able to respond to emergency complaints.
With the predicted forecast, Sgt. Walter Newton, Public Information Officer for DSP, said, "we ask that people refrain from driving as much as possible during the height of the storm. If you have to venture out please exercise caution. Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas and is in good working order. Bring blankets with you as well as a cell phone and charger. If you do become stranded make sure your exhaust is clear from debris. Stay with your vehicle and run the engine in intervals to maintain warm within the interior of the car. When calling "911" for assistance make sure you give your exact location and any landmarks that would aid the trooper in locating you."
Newton said that State police will continue to monitor the storm track and respond as needed.
"The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) encourages you to prepare now for tomorrow's storm," said OHS spokesperson Andrea Summers. "Please run your errands before Friday night so that you will not need to be out on the roads unnecessarily this weekend. The weekend weather event is currently expected to produce conditions that will make driving extremely hazardous therefore driving should be limited only to emergencies this weekend. Sightseeing trips to check out the amount of snow various parts of the state have received will be strongly discouraged."
