Dewey working to clear streets after blizzard
In the wake of a blizzard that slammed Sussex County and much of the East Coast last weekend, the Town of Dewey Beach is working to pick up the pieces – literally.
Power lines and about a dozen trees and limbs are down around town, according to Town Manager Bill Zolper.
“People have to understand the town has two maintenance workers trying to clear the whole [town],” Zolper said.
The storm dumped more than a foot of heavy, wet snow, making plowing especially difficult. The town also saw 62 mph peak wind gusts, the highest recorded in the state, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Staarmann.
Many homes lost power from the storm, and, as of early Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 24, the first block of West Street remains without power. Delmarva Power is aware of the issue and is reportedly working to resolve it.
As of Feb. 24, the town continues to plow its streets and evaluate down trees. A vendor will be brought in for tree removal Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Also Wednesday, the maintenance team will be plowing the town’s public parking spaces. Casella has scheduled trash pick-up for that morning.
Snow removal will continue Thursday, Feb. 26 as needed.
Zolper asks for patience from the community amidst the cleanup process.
Ellen McIntyre is a reporter covering education and all things Dewey Beach. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State - Schreyer Honors College in May 2024, then completed an internship writing for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In 2023, she covered the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand as a freelancer for the Associated Press and saw her work published by outlets including The Washington Post and Fox Sports. Her variety of reporting experience covers crime and courts, investigations, politics and the arts. As a Hockessin, Delaware native, Ellen is happy to be back in her home state, though she enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures. She also loves live music, reading, hiking and spending time in nature.
