Crews from Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and emergency responders are fighting statewide against the increasing amount of snowfall, while the Delaware State Police reports many accidents throughout Delaware.
The Delaware State Police reports 107 accidents statewide. There were three injuries in New Castle county, but none of them are life threatening. One accident in Kent County resulted in an injury. "Conditions are unsafe right now, despite the hard work of the plows," said Cpl. Bruce Harris, Public Information Officer for the Delaware State Police.
According the National Weather Service, snow is occurring statewide at this time and will continue to snow throughout the day and into the evening. Accumulations forecasted from north to south, New Castle County, including the City of Wilmington, 1 to 3 inches, Kent County, 3 to 5 inches, and Sussex County 5 to 8 inches. The snow should begin tapering off after sunset in New Castle County and around midnight in southern Sussex County.
Temperatures will drop to the low- to mid-teens statewide with little variation in wind speeds. Tomorrow temperatures should rise to the low- to mid-20's during the day and fall to the low teens tomorrow evening. There is the possibility of single digit lows in the higher elevations in northern NCC and the western interiors of the state.
Along the coast minor tidal flooding may occur during the Sunday morning high tide in Sussex County at the breakwater in Lewes. Astronomical tides may affect flood prone areas during the period early Sunday morning. Winds will remain out of the north tonight shifting to the northwest Sunday.
"Many people on roads are driving too fast for conditions and getting in crashes or ending up stuck," said Andrea Summers, spokesperson for Delaware Office of Highway Safety. "We urge people to stay off the roads and not put themselves and others at risk."
DelDOT crews are mobilized statewide, with about 500 employees working right now.
In Sussex County, which has the heaviest snowfall, crews are plowing the primary roads. At the significant intersections, crews are applying a mixture of 2/3 sand and 1/3 sand. On most of the roads, however, crews are
focused on plowing. In Kent County, crews are also working on the primary roads. In New Castle County, DelDOT crews are plowing while also applying large amounts of salt to the bridges and interstates.
"Our people are working as hard as they can right now to make the roads safe," said Jim Westhoff, DelDOT spokesman. "The best way that residents can help is to stay off the road. If they must travel, remember to give our plows a lot of room, and please never pass a snowplow."
