Eight to 12 inches of snow forecast to fall through duration of event
Source: Sussex County Gov. Offices
Moderate snow continues to fall over Sussex County and much of Delaware this Monday morning, as the first storm of the winter season pushes through the mid-Atlantic region after blanketing states from the Midwest to the East Coast, leaving travel woes, power outages, and frigid conditions in its wake.
A winter storm warning remains in effect for Sussex County through 4 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7. So far, since the storm began in the overnight hours Sunday into today, nearly 8 inches of snow had fallen in parts of Sussex County, with the potential for another 2 to 4 inches to fall into Monday night before tapering off. In total, a large swath of Sussex County could see as much as a foot of snow, with higher amounts possible in some pockets, from the first winter storm to hit southern Delaware since 2022.
After the storm departs late tonight or early Tuesday, gusty winds are expected to rush in on the backside, along with cold air sinking into the teens, leading to blowing and drifting snow, wind chills in the single digits, and a heightened chance for black ice on area roadways, possibly through much of the workweek.
“Thankfully, so far, this event is not creating a host of major problems,” Sussex County Emergency Manager/Deputy Director of Public Safety Timothy R. Cooper said. “We’re fortunate that it’s remained all snow for the moment, with little to no mixing that could have really caused problems for trees and power lines. We still have a few hours to go, but all in all, Sussex County is faring pretty well right now.”
Travel, however, is expected to remain difficult through the day and into the night, likely extending into Tuesday. With most government offices, schools, and many businesses closed today, officials are hopeful that the public heeds the advice of emergency planners and forecasters, and avoids unnecessary travel in the next 24 hours so as to allow DelDOT crews to do their plowing work on area roadways.
Sussex County Emergency Management continues to monitor this situation and is working closely with other local and State governmental agencies. Additional staff have been called in to the County’s Emergency Operations Center and paramedic stations to assist with any issues that may arise during and after the event. The County EOC remains on limited activation with key partners, including representatives from State agencies and major utilities, on site.
For the latest list of road closures, visit the Delaware Department of Transportation website at www.deldot.gov. To view a map of power outages in Sussex County, visit Delmarva Power’s website at www.delmarva.com and the Delaware Electric Cooperative’s website at www.delaware.coop.
Stay tuned to local media, as well as the Sussex County website at www.sussexcountyde.gov. The public also should monitor the National Weather Service, at www.weather.gov/phi for the latest forecasts. Meantime, Sussex County offers a variety of social media outlets to relay the latest storm information. Please follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SussexCountyDE and www.facebook.com/SussexCountyEmergencyManagement, and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sussexde_govt and www.x.com/SussexCtyDE_EM. Updates will be issued as needed.
Sussex County reminds the public to only call 9-1-1 in an emergency. Members of the public who have questions regarding this information should contact Sussex County Emergency Management at (302) 856-7360.
