The First State is under a State of Emergency as the snow begins to pile up throughout the state.
Gov. Jack Markell put the State of Emergency into effect at 5 pm Friday in anticipation of significant snowfall in New Castle and Kent Counties, as well as coastal flooding and strong sustained winds in Sussex County.
The state of emergency allows Markell to deploy the Delaware National Guard, DelDOT, first responders, and other agencies to open or close roadways and take other actions to protect public safety and property during the storm event
He put a Level 1 Driving restriction into effect at midnight Friday night. That encourages people not to drive unless they have a significant reason to do so.
“With authorities predicting snowfall amounts of 12-18 inches, it is important that all Delawareans take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones”, said Markell. “Conditions are predicted to rapidly deteriorate during the overnight hours and through tomorrow, which will create hazardous driving conditions and the threat of flooding in low-lying coastal areas. That's why I’m urging Delawareans to find a safe place to be this weekend and to arrive there this evening, and why I’m asked all non-essential personnel to avoid travelling our roadways after the snow begins so that DelDOT and emergency crews can clear the roads and keep our citizens safe.”
The Governor’s office says if the storm intensifies as predicted that driving restriction is likely to be upgraded to Level 2 – which says no one may drive - except for persons designated as “essential personnel” or who have a waiver from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.
“Essential personnel” under Delaware law are operators of snow removal equipment (public and private), persons providing public utility services, persons providing healthcare services; and persons providing food and fuel deliveries.
The City of Wilmington and New Castle County have also each declared a state of emergency. Newark city officials have put a snow emergency in place.
DelDOT has suspended all bus and paratransit service Saturday. SEPTA has also announced it will not run service in the First State Saturday.
