Heaviest snowfall in lower Delaware, snow plow overturns

Delawareans are waking up, yet again, to snow covered cars and roads on this St. Patrick’s Day, three days before spring arrives.  

While a winter storm warning remains in effect statewide until noon today, the heaviest snowfall totals in the southern part of the state.

Overnight, between one and three inches of snow fell in New Castle County, with lesser amounts in the northern portion. Kent County received between two and five inches of snow, with three to seven inches falling across Sussex County.

More than 400 DelDOT employees have been working since 9 p.m. last night, salting and plowing the roads, but many roads remains covered in snow and ice DelDOT’s Jim Westhoff said. The multi-lane highways are DelDOT’s first priority, followed by secondary and minor roads.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell issued a statement early this morning saying, “DelDOT crews are actively working to clear primary roads and will continue to do so. We strongly encourage drivers who do not need to travel to delay or refrain from going on the roads to give DelDOT plows time and ability to work.”

Part of that road-clearing operation was interrupted around 11 a.m. when a snow plow overturned on I-95 in the northbound lanes near the Sheraton Hotel at the exit for Route 141. The driver was sent to the hospital for treatment. The truck blocked northbound traffic on the interstate, with just one lane getting by.

State offices in Kent and Sussex counties are closed today, but essential employees are to report as scheduled. State offices in New Castle County opened on time this morning, but allowed its employees to come in as late as 10 a.m.

State courts in Delaware will follow the same schedules as other state offices; 24-hour Justice of the Peace Courts will still operate.

DART fixed route transit is operating on normal schedules. Paratransit service in Sussex County is suspended at present, but is running normally in Kent and New Castle Counties.

According to the state’s website, all public and charter schools statewide are closed with the exception of Family Foundations Academy in New Castle, which opened on a two-hour delay.