Delaware remains under a State of Emergency this morning, February 12, 2010. The State of Emergency has been in effect since 12 midnight, February 10. The travel bans contained in the original State of Emergency declared by Governor Jack Markell that prohibited travel on Delaware roadways by non-essential vehicles were lifted on Thursday. The change was effective at 12 noon on February 11th in New Castle County, and at 6pm in Kent and Sussex Counties.
Motorists are reminded that driving conditions on some roads are still hazardous. Primary roads in New Castle County above the C&D Canal are dry, while half of secondary roads are still snow covered. Ninety percent of minor roads in that same area are snow covered.
In New Castle County south of the C&D Canal primary roads are wet with some snow cover, while half of secondary and minor roads are still snow covered.
Primary roads in Kent County are dry, while secondary and minor roads remain snow covered, wet, and icy.
In Sussex County, primary roads are wet, secondary roads are snow covered, and minor roads are wet, icy and snow covered.
Delaware Transit Corporation reports that DART buses will be running today with some detours. In Wilmington the Rts. 7 and 8 are not running and the Rt. 24 will stay on Governor Printz Blvd. In Dover, the Rt. 107 will not service James Williams State Service Building and the Rt. 109 will attempt to service Kings Highway at Luther Towers. The Rt. 117 will not service Paris Villas and London Village and Rt. 100 will not run. Passengers can use Rt. 101.
There is no R2 train service south of Wilmington.
Delmarva Power reports 1,196 power outages in New Castle County, and 6 in Sussex County.
The reduction in power outages has also resulted in fewer people needing to use emergency shelters. 16 people are reported at the shelter established at Milford Middle School, and 10 at Sussex Central High School.
Using authority granted in the State of Emergency declaration, teams from the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), Delaware State Police and Delaware National Guard began removing abandoned vehicles from roadways on Thursday. Owners whose vehicles were towed should contact the nearest State Police troop to determine its location. Recovery fees charged by private towing companies may vary.
