Sussex County

• A Blizzard Warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4
• Expect heavy snow and blowing snow, with snow accumulations of 8 to 12 inches. Tree branches could fall due to the weight of the snow.
• Strong winds may cause power outages.
• A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect until 2 p.m.

• New Castle County

• A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4
• Expect heavy snow and blowing snow, with snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches.
• Strong winds may cause power outages.

Kent County

• A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4
• Expect heavy snow and blowing snow, with snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches. Tree branches could fall due to the weight of the snow.
• Strong winds may cause power outages.
• A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect until 2 p.m.

To be connected to Code Purple resources, call Delaware 2-1-1 or click the Code Purple button at www.delaware211.org. Or call the Delaware Housing Alliance’s Centralized Intake Line at 302-654-0126, ext. 112. If you see someone outside who appears to be homeless, encourage them to seek emergency shelter or call a non-emergency police number to alert the police to the situation.

The Delaware Division of Public Health reminds residents to protect themselves and animals during winter storms.

With extreme cold conditions and a possible severe winter storm bearing down the East Coast, Cape Region businesses and organizations and government officials are taking precautions to ensure safety.

Rehoboth offices to open at 10 a.m.

The Rehoboth Beach administrative offices will open at 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 5.

City Manager Sharon Lynn said the current concern is high winds up to 30 MPH through the night, causing snow to blow over sidewalks and roads that have been cleared. She said the strong winds will cause higher than normal tides over the next two days. Temperatures are expected to drop to 10 degrees overnight with a wind chill below zero, with temperatures on Jan. 5 and Saturday, Jan. 6 being in the teens. 

Lynn said city crews will continue to plow and treat the roadways through the night and into Friday. She advised motorists to stay off the roads so crews can make roads passable. Lynn said side streets will be plowed when crews can drive on them safely; many businesses in town are closed, she said.

Anyone that has lost power or seen downed power lines should contact Delmarva Power at 1-800-898-8042. Further updates from the city can be found at cityofrehoboth.com or at facebook.com/city-of-Rehoboth-beach-Delaware. For emergencies, call the Rehoboth police department at 9-1-1 or at 227-2577. 

The city of Rehoboth Beach administrative offices are closed due to the snow storm.

City crews have been plowing the roads since late Wednesday night, City Manager Sharon Lynn said, but it is advisable to stay off the roads if there is no need to travel outside so the streets department can best operate snowplows and make the roadways passable. She said crews will plow the roads throughout the day and the night

Lynn said anyone experiencing power outages or seeing downed wires can call Delmarva Power at 1-800-898-8042. 
 
For further updates from the city, visit cityofrehoboth.com or at facebook.com/city-of-Rehoboth-beach-Delaware. To reach the Rehoboth police department, call 227-2577. 
 

Update - 1:45 p.m., Jan. 4 – All state offices closed Jan. 4

State of Delaware offices are closed in all three counties during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Offices will remain closed in all three counties through 11:59 p.m. Jan. 4.  Non-essential employees are not to report to work for this period. Essential employees are to report as scheduled. All employees should continue to check for updates. http://de.gov/closings

 DART will not operate regular bus services or paratransit in Sussex County; however, services in Kent and New Castle will operate with delays. Please use caution getting to bus stops due to potentially slippery conditions.

State offices closed in Sussex Jan. 4

Update: Sussex offices closed Jan. 5

Most schools closed Jan. 4

Cape Henlopen and Sussex Tech school districts, along with Delmarva Christian High School in Georgetown and the Milton Campus are closed Jan. 4 because of poor weather conditions. Worcester Preparatory School will also be closed Jan. 4. Cape Henlopen will be closed Jan. 5.

Georgetown activates snow emergency plan; parking restrictions begin at 7 p.m.

Georgetown has activated its snow emergency plan. Parking restrictions apply to designated snow emergency routes, making it easier and more effective for equipment to clear snow from the streets.

The designated snow emergency routes are East Market Street, West Market Street, North Bedford Street, South Bedford Street, Bridgeville Road, East Pine Street, West Pine Street, North Race Street, South Race Street, North Front Street, South Front Street, East Laurel Street from North Bedford Street to North Race Street, West Laurel Street from North Bedford Street to North Front Street, Edward Street from North Bedford Street to North Front Street, West North Street from North Bedford Street to Route 113 and Albury Avenue from East Market Street to Cedar Street.

Vehicles parked along these streets may be subject to towing if not removed by the owner. Residents are asked to avoid traveling during adverse weather conditions.

Town ordinance also states that the sidewalks be cleared within 24 hours after a snowfall. Residents with a fire hydrant near their property are asked to take an extra minute or two to ensure that it is cleared and visible.

For more information go to georgetowndel.com or call town hall at 302-856-7391.

Ferry suspends operations Jan. 4

Due to significant ice accumulations in the Cape May canal and associated wind conditions expected with the impending nor’easter on the Delaware Bay, Cape May-Lewes Ferry officials announced that ferry operations have been suspended for Thursday, Jan. 4.  

“Bitter cold temperatures and strong northwest winds are causing ice sheets to stack up in the Cape May canal,” said Heath Gehrke, director of ferry operations. “With the approaching winter storm, these conditions are expected to worsen over the next few days.  We will continue to monitor the weather conditions and will be providing service updates on a daily basis on both our website and social media venues.” 

Gehrke added that given the current conditions and anticipated frigid temperatures over the next few days, additional departures may also be affected. 

Harbeson Allen Harrim plant: closed Jan. 4

DelDOT treats roads

DelDOT’s maintenance crews in Kent and Sussex counties are brining the primary roads in anticipation of the storm, and they will continue to monitor weather conditions statewide as the winter storm approaches. New Castle County primary roads have already been pre-treated. 

With the forecasted gusty winds, DelDOT anticipates drifting snow which will greatly impact visibility and road conditions and slow snow removal operations. Motorists should use caution when driving on bridges, ramps, and overpasses that may have ice and slippery conditions.

After the primary roads are passable, DelDOT’s crews will move to the secondary roads. DelDOT’s crews may also return to the primary roads even after operations have started on secondary roads due to the changing of weather conditions.

No sledding on dunes

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.

Update: Beebe Healthcare announces Jan. 5 schedule

Pettyjohn constituent coffee rescheduled

Sen. Brian Pettyjohn has rescheduled his Jan. 4 constituent coffee to Thursday, Jan. 18, at CHEER Center Sandhill Road, Georgetown, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.