WEATHER STATEMENT: Sussex County readies for another round of winter weather

press release from the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center:

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Sussex County readies for another round of winter weather

Another 4 to7 inches of snow possible as region continues clean up from weekend blizzard

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1800 Hours, Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010

Snow-socked Sussex County is in line for more winter weather, as another major coastal storm heads for the mid-Atlantic region, threatening to coat the county with rain, sleet and snow on top of the two feet of snow that fell this past weekend.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, as forecasters predict 3 to 7 inches of snow will fall over the county in the next 24 hours. Much of that precipitation, though, is expected begin as sleet and even rain tonight into early Wednesday morning. Forecasters, though, expect a change to all snow after sunrise when colder air wraps around the storm.

Further complicating clean-up efforts from the weekend blizzard, strong winds with gusts up to 50 mph and minor tidal flooding also are possible with this newest storm.

“As if this past weekend’s one to two feet of snow wasn’t enough, more is coming our way to add to the misery,” Sussex County Emergency Operations Center Director Joseph L. Thomas. “All we and the public can do is batten down the hatches, bear through it and hope that this latest storm spares us the damage and difficulties caused by the last one.”

DelDOT road crews and utility companies continue to clear roads and restore power throughout the county, four days after the most significant storm in recent memory piled snow waist high. As of Tuesday afternoon, nearly 1,000 customers remained without electricity. The number of customers in the county without power at one point this past weekend had approached 50,000.

Meantime, the Delaware National Guard continues to assist those residents who have lost power or who have critical needs, such as kidney dialysis, Mr. Thomas said. Because of the remaining power outages and the deep cold affecting the county, as well as the threat of more winter weather, shelters remain open at two locations in the county. Those shelters are:

· Milford Middle School, 612 Lakeview Ave., Milford;

· Sussex Central High School, 26026 Patriots Way, Georgetown.

Residents in need of shelter should contact the Sussex County EOC storm hotline at (302) 856-7366 for instructions. All shelter facilities have back-up generators in place, and staff is available to assist the public. However, those relocating to shelters should bring necessary supplies with them, including clothing, sleeping bags and pillows, medications, drinks, and non-perishable foods.

As the new storm moves in, emergency officials are asking the public – especially those living in municipalities and subdivisions – to shovel out hydrants for local firefighters. Heavy snowfall accumulations along with mountains of snow and ice plowed off streets have blocked many hydrants, which are critical for firefighters in an emergency, Mr. Thomas said.

Sussex County officials continue to ask residents and property owners with damage caused by this past weekend’s snowstorm to report that information immediately so emergency planners can assess the extent of destruction. Anyone who has damage should call the EOC’s storm information hotline at (302) 856-7366. The public also can send photographs of storm damage to emergency officials. Visit www.sussexcountyde.gov/stormphotos to upload storm images.

For the latest list of road closures, visit the Delaware Department of Transportation Web site at www.deldot.gov. To view an up-to-date map of power outages in Sussex County, visit Delmarva Power’s Web site at www.delmarva.com and the Delaware Electric Cooperative’s Web site at www.delaware.coop.

For updates, stay tuned to local television and radio stations, and the Sussex County EOC Web site, at www.sussexcountyde.gov/services/storm.

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A printable copy of this release is available here.

What The Liberal Leave Policies Really Mean

There are several government agencies and even businesses that have a “liberal leave” policy. I think it secretly means that liberals can stay home but conservatives must report on time. Hey, somebody has to work!

National Guard Pulled Out of Ditch By Local Farmer

Here are two photos courtesy of Sussex County Councilman Vance Phillips. These images of a local farmer using a tractor to help pull a National Guard unit out of a snow-covered ditch illustrate some of the extreme conditions and circumstances this past weekend’s storm caused. The shots were taken on Sunday near Georgetown.

Sussex County Asks Public For Storm Reports

Press Release:

Sussex County asks public for storm reports

Emergency managers trying to assess damage caused by heavy snowfall as preparations begin for new round of wintry weather

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1730 Hours, Monday, Feb. 8, 2010

Sussex County officials are asking residents and property owners with damage caused by this past weekend’s snowstorm to report that information immediately so emergency planners can assess the extent of destruction wrought on the region.

Emergency Operations Center Director Joseph L. Thomas said some reports of poultry house collapses caused by the heavy, wet snow already have begun to filter in. The Sussex County EOC reminds residents, especially those in manufactured homes with flat roofs, to sweep or shovel snow from atop those structures as long as it is safe to do so.

“As we all begin the tall task of recovering from this historic storm, it is imperative that the public as soon as possible report to us the damage to their homes, businesses, farms and other properties,” Mr. Thomas said. “That will give us a clearer picture of the damage that is out there.”

Anyone who has damage should call the EOC’s storm information hotline at (302) 856-7366. The public also can send photographs of storm damage to emergency officials. Visit www.sussexcountyde.gov/stormphotos to upload storm images.

DelDOT road crews and utility companies continued their efforts today to clear roads and restore power, this as another potentially significant winter storm approaches the mid-Atlantic region. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Sussex County for Tuesday through Wednesday.

Road crews continue to battle snow drifts of two to four feet in some locations, while approximately 10,000 homes and businesses enter their third day without electricity. Utility crews from as far away as North Carolina are in the county working to repair damaged utility poles and downed lines.

Because of the remaining power outages and the deep cold affecting the county, in addition to the threat of more winter weather, shelters remain open at two locations to house those who have lost power. Those shelters are:

· Milford Middle School, 612 Lakeview Ave., Milford;

· Sussex Central High School, 26026 Patriots Way, Georgetown.

Residents in need of shelter should contact the Sussex County EOC storm information hotline at (302) 856-7366 for instructions. All shelter facilities have back-up generators in place, and staff is available to assist the public. However, those relocating to shelters should bring necessary supplies with them, including clothing, sleeping bags and pillows, medications, drinks, and non-perishable foods.

With additional snowfall and/or icy precipitation expected to fall in the next 48 hours, the Sussex County EOC urges the public to begin preparations now. “Right now, we have a window of opportunity,” Mr. Thomas said. “We need to use it.”

Residents should prepare themselves with basic household supplies, including extra food and water, first-aid supplies, flashlights and batteries, a battery-powered weather radio, extra prescription medicines, baby items, an emergency heat source and sufficient heating fuel.

The Sussex County EOC will continue to monitor forecasts for the impending storm and work closely with other local and state governmental agencies. Further updates will be issued should they become necessary.

For the latest list of road closures, visit the Delaware Department of Transportation Web site at www.deldot.gov. To view an up-to-date map of power outages in Sussex County, visit Delmarva Power’s Web site at www.delmarva.com and the Delaware Electric Cooperative’s Web site at www.delaware.coop.

For updates, stay tuned to local television and radio stations, and the Sussex County EOC Web site, at www.sussexcountyde.gov/services/storm.

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A printable copy of this release is available here.

Woodland Ferry Is Still Closed

The News Journal/DelawareOnline reports today more bad news for the Woodland Ferry:

The ferry has been idle since October, when it developed problems with its thruster. A replacement was ordered and installed, but when DelDOT started test runs, another part of the ferry’s hydraulic system failed, Shockley said.

After the old boat lived in perpetual breakdown, it seems that the new boat, The Tina Fallon, has been cursed with the same curse. Someone should start asking questions about the design of these boat parts, which seem to be doomed to fail.

If I were Tina Fallon, I would go down to the ferry and personally scrape my name off the boat. Who would want their name associated with this?

If anyone wonders why taxpayers complain about waste in government, just take a drive down Woodland Ferry Road and take a look. Hopefully we will see the boat running again soon. Until then I suppose we will continue to see news reports like this.

Don’t Get Snow On His Car

Garnet Dalton takes snow removal seriously. He takes it so serious that if you get snow on his car, he’s gonna fill you full of lead, or at least make you think he will. Dalton was arrested late Saturday after pointing a gun and threatening to shoot a neighbor whom he thought was slinging snow on his car. He was released on $1000 unsecured bail.

Did cabin fever drive him to the edge? Only the shovel knows.

DelawareOnline has the story here.

Sussex Co EOC Winter Storm Update

Press release:

Sussex County begins big dig following the Blizzard of 2010

Crews working steadily to restore power, clear roads; National Guard out in full force to assist public

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1300 Hours, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010

Sussex County is beginning to dig out from under this weekend’s one to two feet of snow, with state transportation workers trudging through towering drifts to clear roads and power crews feverishly working to restore service to thousands of customers who have been in the dark for more than a day.

The Sussex County Emergency Operations Center in Georgetown is continuing to work closely with local and state emergency managers as Delaware recovers from what will go down as among the most significant winter storms to ever hit the mid-Atlantic region. Delaware National Guard troops also have been deployed throughout the county to assist in the recovery effort.

“This center and our staff are working around the clock to ensure the public’s safety,” Sussex County EOC Director Joseph L. Thomas said. “We will not rest until the job has been completed and life has started its slow return to normal.”

The return to normal will understandably take time. More than 15,000 homes and businesses remain without power today. But that number is steadily decreasing – at the height of the storm, almost 50,000 customers were without electricity – as power crews from as far away as North Carolina are in the county working to repair damaged utility poles and downed lines.

Because of the remaining power outages and the deep cold affecting the county, shelters remain open at three locations to house those who have lost power or who have been otherwise affected by the storm. Those shelters are:

·        Cape Henlopen High School, 1250 Kings Highway, Lewes;

·        Milford Middle School, 612 Lakeview Ave., Milford;

·        Sussex Central High School, 26026 Patriots Way, Georgetown.

Residents in need of shelter should contact the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center’s storm information hotline at (302) 856-7366 for instructions. All shelter facilities have back-up generators in place, and staff will be available to assist the public. However, those relocating to these shelters must bring ALL necessary supplies with them, including clothing, sleeping bags and pillows, medications, drinks, and non-perishable foods.

All of Delaware remains under a state of emergency until further notice. Non-essential travel remains strongly discouraged.

The Sussex County EOC asks that members of the public with storm-related questions or non-emergency concerns call the dedicated storm information line, at (302) 856-7366. PLEASE DO NOT call other EOC telephone numbers, as those lines are necessary for emergency planners to coordinate services during this event. The County EOC reminds the public to only call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

For the latest list of road closures, visit the Delaware Department of Transportation Web site at www.deldot.gov. To view an up-to-date map of power outages in Sussex County, visit Delmarva Power’s Web site at www.delmarva.com and the Delaware Electric Cooperative’s Web site at www.delaware.coop.

The Sussex County EOC requests that residents and property owners with photographs of snowfall and storm damage send them through the County Web site. Visit www.sussexcountyde.gov/stormphotos to upload storm images.

For updates, stay tuned to local television and radio stations, and the Sussex County EOC Web site, at www.sussexcountyde.gov/services/storm.

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A printable copy of the press release is available on Scribd.