Winter Storm Update
Statewide --
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) continues to treat roads and prepare for the arrival of a statewide snow event. As of 9:00 p.m., DelDOT maintenance & operations yards in New Castle County are fully staffed and treating roadways due to icy conditions. In Kent County, half of staff will report at 2:00 a.m., and will be fully staffed by 7:00 a.m. For Sussex County, a quarter of staff will report at 2:00 a.m., and will be fully staffed by 7:00 a.m. Staff will also be monitoring Route 1 for potential flooding south of Dewey Beach throughout the storm.
Governor Carney has declared a State of Emergency effective at 12:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 21, 2018, for the entire state. The authorization will allow the National Guard to mobilize resources to assist with response related to heavy snow in New Castle County, and potential coastal flooding in Kent and Sussex counties. The State of Emergency also directs state agencies to assist in response and recovery efforts in coordination with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.
Due to the forecasted severe conditions, Governor John Carney has announced State of Delaware offices in New Castle County will be closed Wednesday, March 21, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Non-essential employees who live or work in New Castle County are not to report to work for this period. Essential employees are to report as scheduled.
No driving restrictions have been implemented at this time, though motorists should use caution throughout the overnight hours as slippery conditions are possible.
The Wilmington and Delaware City DMVs will be closed on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
DART First State transit services crews have prepared equipment, service contractors have been notified, and snow removal contractors have been put on notice. Reservations and Control Center are prepared for a high volume of calls due to the possibility of passengers wanting to cancel or reschedule paratransit trips as the storm approaches.
Real-time traffic conditions are available via the free DelDOT smartphone app and at www.deldot.gov.
Delaware Guard Prepares for Winter Storm Toby
The Delaware National Guard, in coordination with the Delaware Emergency
Management Agency, is prepared to support Delawareans during Winter Storm
Toby. The Guard is prepositioning personnel and vehicles in New Castle and
Sussex Counties and providing liaison officers at Emergency Operations
Centers in those counties. We currently have Soldiers and Airmen on duty and
fully prepared to support the state with any missions - snow, ice, or flood
related.
Initial prepositioning includes Soldiers, Humvees and a wrecker in
Wilmington, along with Light Medium Tactical Vehicles (LMTV) and operators
in Georgetown. The LMTVs are 2.5 ton trucks capable of transporting up to 15
passengers. They have a high clearance that allows operation in up to four
feet of water.
"We are in constant communication and coordination with DEMA and all first
responders in the state," said Maj. Gen. Carol Timmons, Adjutant General,
Delaware National Guard. "The National Guard is unique because we have the
dual mission of the overseas warfight and supporting the homeland."
Operators and tactical vehicles such as Humvees, LMTVs, and wreckers are
available to each county's Emergency Operations Center. We also have a surge
capability on call to support this event with as many troops and vehicles as
needed, said Timmons.
Soldiers and Airmen prepared to support are vehicle operators and typical
support missions include: transport of Delawareans to safety, transport of
police and other first responders, and transport of medical workers to
hospitals. Troops also can provide traffic control, access control points,
and medical personnel should medical shelters be operational. Additionally,
the Delaware National Guard is providing crash and rescue support on the New
Castle County Airport, and civil engineers are ensuring the taxiways and
facilities on the airport remain operational.
In addition to vehicle operators, we have command staff in each operational
armory and Liaison Officers supporting Emergency Operations Centers in New
Castle and Sussex counties. The Delaware National Guard Joint Emergency
Operations Center is staffed around the clock, until the event is complete.
** We will continue to provide updates as the event continues.
For more information, please contact Lt. Col. Len Gratteri at 302-540-0134
DART is operating all services statewide, with likely delays. As weather conditions worsen, service may be adjusted or suspended. Please check DartFirstState.com for updates. DART's Real-Time Transit Information is free on the DelDOT App. Download today! DART riders can also subscribe to Rider Alerts and DART news at Delaware Notification Service (find DART under DelDOT).
Please use caution getting to bus stops due to potentially slippery conditions; please have driveways and sidewalks cleared for your safety and the safety of our Paratransit Operator.
DART's Wilmington Administration Office is closed.
SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line is operating a Saturday schedule with enhanced service to Fairplay at Churchmans Crossing and Newark Stations. See schedule at http://www.septa.org/schedules/rail/special/pdf/WIL_1.html
Other useful links:
www.septa.org for SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line
www.ccgov.org/government/community-services/cecil-transit for Cecil Transit Route 1-Glasgow Connection & Route 4-Elkton/Newark