Delaware weather update: 8am-state of emergency back in effect

Delaware is under its second state of emergency in 5 days. Residents are told to stay home and not drive. The declaration went into effect at midnight and will remain until further notice.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell has put in a state of emergency once again for the entire state.  The notice went into effect at midnight.  That’s when the emergency management team made up of a combination of state agencies, went back into action.  The declaration says that only emergency vehicles and essential personnel should be the only ones to use the roads.  This will allow DelDot crews to go back into action.  The declaration also says that any cars abandoned during the snow storm will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Emergency shelters have also been set up in Lewes and Milford.  Officials are on standby to set up shelters in the Dover area and in New Castle County.  Some residents used shelters over the weekend when the last storm caused massive power outages in New Castle County. 

The state has also set up a phone number for non-emergency situations:  1-800-464-4357.

Residents can call that number if they have questions:

1. Where to report power outages

2.  How to get emergency transportation to shelters

3.   Report road conditions in the area

4.  Tips on how to report damaged roofs

5.  Status of closings and the state of emergency.

The city of Wilmington has open its emergency operations center.  Residents can call 302-576-2489 with any questions. 

Schools around the state are closed.  The University of Delaware’s Newark campus is closed for the day.  All classes and public events have been called off.  The official start of the semester was Tuesday.  It had been postponed a day because of the aftermath of Saturday’s storm.  The Christiana Mall has also said it is closed for the day.