Many Delawareans still snowed in as new storm looms

With many secondary roads in Sussex County yet to see one pass from a snowplow, DelDOT has moved crews from New Castle County to beef up efforts downstate.

With many secondary roads in Sussex County yet to see one pass from a snowplow, DelDOT has moved crews from New Castle County to beef up efforts downstate.

“Our goal today is to get every secondary road in Sussex County at least one (passable) lane, that’s our big     focus right now,” DelDOT spokesman Jim Westhoff said. “We’re going 100% full throttle and we’re not out of this yet. With the impending snow, we need to get those roads open so people can get out of their homes,” Westhoff said.

But Westhoff says with 8 foot drifts, downed trees and power lines, it’s a struggle.  And with workers that have been going nonstop since Saturday,  DelDOT will start staggering crews so they can rest up for the next storm.  Meteorologists predict the storm will start Tuesday evening, dumping as much as 12 to 16 inches of snow by midnight Thursday.

“To send people home is such a difficult decision when people are in their dark and cold homes who need help,” Westhoff said.

As of midday Monday, there were still 9,700 Delmarva Power customers without electricity in Sussex County.  Delmarva estimates that power will be restored to most customers by late Monday.  But poor travel conditions and challenges in getting to the equipment could mean some customers will have to wait until Tuesday.

Despite the storm, Governor Markell was able to catch a flight Saturday night for his first trip overseas to Germany and England. He’s meeting with the heads of several companies to encourage them to business in Delaware.  He’s expected to return to Delaware Friday, when we’ll likely be in the middle of a second snow dig-out in a single week.