Sussex County prepares for winter storm

The first significant winter storm of the season could drop as much as a foot of snow and glaze Sussex County with a coating of ice to start the first full week of January, undoubtedly snarling traffic and potentially knocking out power across the region.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for all of Sussex County from 10 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 5, through 4 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 7. Forecasters predict a general range of 5 to 10 inches of snow, with possible higher amounts where narrow bands set up, to fall across the county beginning late Sunday and lasting through Monday. Forecasters predict the snow to begin around midnight Sunday, then be at its heaviest – with rates of as much as 1 inch per hour – just before daybreak Monday. A possible switch to a wintry mix of sleet, freezing rain, and rain is possible during the midday and early afternoon hours Monday, before switching back to all snow in a secondary burst of precipitation Monday night.

Meantime, gusty winds are expected to follow as the storm ends with a sharp cutoff Monday night, with 15- to 25-mph winds, and slightly higher speeds along the coast, expected to cause blowing and drifting snow that could make roads impassable and reduce visibility. Bitter cold air, with temperatures plunging into the teens after the storm, is expected Monday night, Jan. 6, and could keep temperatures at or below freezing for most of the week. That, in turn, will limit melting.

Property owners should prepare now by removing or securing loose objects, and residents should stock up on provisions in the event travel is not possible and power is interrupted in the coming days.

“It looks like we’re going to have a pretty intense 24-hour period of winter weather,” said Sussex County Emergency Manager/Deputy Director of Public Safety Timothy R. Cooper. “So, the public should use this time now to make sure they are prepared, follow the latest forecast information, and heed any advisories that come about before, during and after the storm.”

Emergency planners urge the public to prepare now for the strong possibility of difficult travel, power outages and downed trees as a result of heavy and blowing snow, as well as possible icing and mixed precipitation.

Travel on Jan. 6 could be very difficult at times. Those traveling for essential or emergency purposes, however, should be prepared with basic supplies on hand, including an ice scraper, blankets, sand or cat litter, de-icer, flashlight and batteries, mobile telephone, high-calorie nonperishable food and water, and a full tank of gas.

Meantime, residents and property owners 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.

Sussex County Emergency Management continues to monitor this situation and is working closely with other local and state governmental agencies. Additional staff are being called in to the county’s Emergency Operations Center and paramedic stations to be on standby and respond to issues that may arise during and after the event. The county EOC will be on limited activation beginning at 5 a.m., Monday.

For a list of road closures, go to deldot.gov. To view a map of power outages in Sussex County, visit the Delmarva Power website at delmarva.com and the Delaware Electric Cooperative website at 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 weather.gov/phi for the latest forecasts. Meantime, Sussex County offers a variety of social media outlets to relay the latest storm information. 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 911 in an emergency. Members of the public who have questions regarding this information should contact Sussex County Emergency Management at 302-856-7360.