Dagsboro News

Kent and Sussex counties are still removing disabled and abandoned vehicles from roads on their secondary and local back roads, state officials reported Thursday afternoon, noting that the vehicles have been hampering efforts to clear roads and respond to emergencies.

As of 9 a.m., officials announced Thursday morning, after consultation between the Governor’s Office and state and local emergency management officials, it was decided that the State of Emergency declared by Delaware Gov. Jack Markell will remain in effect today, February 11, 2010 as will the travel ban.

[UPDATE] Due to inclement weather, all Indian River School District schools will be closed on Friday, Feb. 12. All 12-month employees will be informed of their status at a later time, officials said.

The Sussex County Emergency Operations Center late Wednesday night put out the call for additional farmers throughout the county to lend equipment and aid so fire and ambulance crews can reach residents in an emergency.

Delaware’s frigid temperatures, high winds and recent snowfalls can be difficult for the more than 40 species of wintering songbirds that share the state’s nature resources, state officials reminded the public mid-week. Their food sources – nuts, seeds and berries – are harder for these small birds to locate and reach, especially when covered with large accumulations of snow.

State officials sent out an urgent message about 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, noting that presently there are stranded and abandoned vehicles that are blocking some roads in Sussex County to the point that ambulances cannot proceed to make emergency runs. These disabled vehicles must be moved immediately in order for responders to carry out life-safety responsibilities.

A brief storm update from state officials as of 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10:

• Delmarva Power crews in Sussex County have temporarily suspended operations due to visibility problems.

Gov. Jack Markell declared a State of Emergency covering the entire state of Delaware effective at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, with all non-emergency vehicles ordered off the roads.

State officials were reporting nearly 14,000 electric customers still without power – mostly in Sussex County – on Monday morning, as crews from Delmarva Power and Delaware Electric Cooperative struggled to reach and repair outages from last weekend’s blizzard. Shelters in both counties remained open for those needing shelter due to a lack of power or heat.

With the National Weather Service reporting snow totals of 20 to 25 inches with drifts in Sussex County, 25 inches in New Castle County and 22 inches in Kent County from this weekend’s blizzard, a State of Emergency remained in effect at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Snow from this weekend’s blizzard had begun to taper off around 8 p.m. on Saturday night, leaving much of the state paralyzed and snowbound, and tens of thousands without power, with as many as 39,000 homes and businesses left in the dark at peak impact from the storm.

A winter storm warning is in effect in the area until 7 p.m. on Saturday evening. Light to moderate snow with embedded areas of heavy snow near the Atlantic coast was occurring across the area late this afternoon, adding about 6 inches of snow in Selbyville over the course of several hours and causing whiteout conditions in some areas.

With snow totals statewide topping 15 inches in some locations and more than 8 inches of snow in the local area, Delaware emergency officials on Saturday morning were reminding the public of the State of Emergency currently in force and the requirement that they stay off roads until further notice. Only emergency vehicles are permitted on the roads in Delaware as of 9 a.m. Saturday.

Snow is beginning to accumulate, the plows are out, and residents everywhere are settling in for a long weekend, state officials reported Friday evening as blizzard conditions hit Delaware. As of 9:30 p.m. on Friday Delaware State Police reported that there had been one injury accident and 15 crashes that involved property damage.

State of Emergency declared for state as of 8 p.m., vehicles ordered off roads as of 10 p.m.

Gov. Jack Markell declared a State of Emergency covering the entire state of Delaware effective at 8 p.m. Friday, with vehicles ordered off the roads as of 10 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a blizzard warning, which is in effect from 4 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday. The previous winter storm watch is no longer in effect.

A storm system developing over the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday will pass off the Carolina coast Friday night and then continue to the northeast on Saturday.

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J., has issued a winter storm watch that is in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening.

Due to inclement weather, all Indian River School District schools will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 3. All 12-month employees should report two hours late.

With a weather advisory from the National Weather Service in effect, state agencies on Tuesday were preparing to meet the challenge of yet more snow.

The National Weather Service Mt. Holly office issued a winter weather advisory for Delaware that was to be in effect from 7 p.m. Tuesday evening to 7 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Due to inclement weather, all Indian River School District schools will be closed on Monday, Feb. 1. All 12-month employees are not required to report.

Other Monday closures, as they are reported to Coastal Point:
Cape Henlopen School District -- closed
Little Hearts Learning Center, Millville - closed

National Weather Service officials are warning of icy roads on Sunday morning. With very cold temperatures in place, any snow from the storm Saturday night that melts on Sunday will freeze on roadways and other untreated surfaces. Caution was advised for those traveling on Sunday. Drivers should be alert for any icy conditions.

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J., has issued a winter storm warning for snow, which is in effect from 9 a.m. Saturday morning to 4 a.m. Sunday. The previous winter weather advisory is no longer in effect.

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J., has issued a winter weather advisory for snow, which is in effect from 7 a.m. Saturday to midnight Saturday night.

Low pressure developing along the Texas Gulf Coast on Friday afternoon was expected to track northeastward Friday night and Saturday, and to move off the Carolina coast early Saturday night.

After previously failing to gain approval for proposed expansion of his Tim’s Aloha Stand business in Bethany Beach with stands in nearby areas of the county, businessman Tim Elder on Tuesday, Jan. 19, finally got the go ahead for one of the projects.

Due to snow, all Indian River School District schools are now closed on Friday, Jan. 8. Officials had previously announced a two-hour delay. All 12-month employees should report at their regular time. The Cape Henlopen School District is also closed on Friday, with staff reporting on a two-hour delay.