DELMARVA - A blizzard warning has been issued for all of Delmarva, according to the National Weather Service.
Storm impacts may include heavy snow, strong winds and coastal flooding.
Delaware is currently under a State of Emergency. A State of Preparedness has been announced in Maryland.
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency says a coastal flood warning has been issued for Kent County, inland Sussex County, and Delaware beaches from 3 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday.
Accumulations of snow could reach up to 8-12 inches in Sussex County. Strong winds may create dangerous conditions. Hazardous roads and reduced visibility are expected, so unnecessary travel should be avoided. It's important to keep cars off of roads designed as Snow Emergency Routes so streets can be plowed. Officials say you should have emergency supplies on hand, including food, water and medications.
“This storm’s effects look very significant, but Sussex County has already had some practice with winter weather this season, so the public should be in a preparedness and readiness frame of mind,” Sussex County Director of Public Safety Robert W. Murray, Jr. said. “Preparation before an event, not at the height of it, is the key to protecting life and property.”
Salisbury has declared a weather-related state of emergency that takes affect 8 p.m. Sunday.
Easton declared a snow emergency starting 5 p.m. Sunday. Town officials say snow emergency routes will be put into place then, which means drivers cannot park on the following routes until the emergency is rescinded:
- All of Washington Street: North Easton Parkway to Lee Terrace
- Dover Street: Higgins Street to Municipal Lot beyond the District Court Building (West Side)
- West Street: Bay Street to Glenwood Avenue
- Federal Street: Washington Street to West Street
- Harrison Street: Goldsborough Street to South Lane
- Goldsborough Street: Washington Street to Aurora Street
- Idlewild Avenue: Aurora Street to Washington Street
- Glenwood Avenue: North Side of Street (Only from Washington Street to Easton Parkway)
Rehoboth Beach announced an emergency route declaration, starting Sunday at 9 p.m. They say there will be no parking on Rehoboth Avenue, Bayard Avenue, and State Road until the city's snow removal operations are done. They say the declaration is to establish designated weather-related emergency routes within the city to ensure safe travel, snow removal, and maintain access for emergency services during winter weather.
Milton has also announced an emergency route declaration beginning at 5 p.m. today and until the town's snow removal operations are completed.
The following streets are designated as Snow Emergency Routes in Milton:
- Atlantic Street
- Federal Street
- Union Street
- Mulberry Street
- Front Street
- Route 16
- Bay Avenue
- Behringer Avenue
- Chandler Street
- Chestnut Street
- Lavinia Street
- Magnolia Street
- Willow Street
- North side of Broad Street
- North side of Mill Street
During a declaration of emergency routes, Milton officials say parking is prohibited on the streets listed above. Vehicles parked on those streets will be ticketed or towed. It is important that drivers yield to snow-removal equipment and emergency vehicles. Obstruction of snow plowing is prohibited. Milton officials ask residents to keep fire hydrants visible and accessible.
Lewes officials say in anticipation of the storm, all trash and recycling pickup scheduled for Monday, February 23 will be moved to Tuesday, February 24. All pickups originally scheduled for Tuesday will move to Wednesday, February 25. Residents are asked not to place trash and recycling bins on the roadways or sidewalks during the storm.
Snow emergency routes will take effect in Lewes at 6 p.m. today, officials say. Parking on any street designated as a Snow Emergency Route is strictly prohibited. Anyone who lives on a designated street must move their cars off the street prior to 6 p.m. today to allow for snow plowing.
The following streets are designated as Snow Emergency Routes in Lewes:
- Cedar Avenue
- Dewey Avenue
- Kings Highway - From City Limits to Savannah Road
- Ocean View Boulevard - West Fourth Street to Canary Drive
- Savannah Road - From City Limits to Cape Henlopen Drive
- Second Street
- West Fourth Street - From New Road to Savannah Road
Additionally, Lewes officials advise residents that all sidewalks and walkways must be clear of snow and ice within 24 hours after snowfall ends.
Millsboro has declared Snow Emergency Routes beginning at 4 p.m. today. Residents are strongly encouraged to move their vehicles off of designated streets or risk being towed or ticketed.
The following streets are designated Snow Emergency Routes in Millsboro:
- Ashville Drive
- Belmont Boulevard
- Bladen Drive
- Bridgewater Road
- Brunswick Lane
- Charlotte Boulevard
- Enfield Drive
- Gaston Drive
- Main Street (northbound)
- Overman Way
- Plantation Lakes Boulevard
- Plantation Lakes Boulevard East (northbound)
- Plantation Lakes Boulevard West (southbound)
- Washington Street (southbound)
- Whitaker Way
The Dover Police Department says cars must be removed from State Street, Governors Avenue, Division Street and Water Street within one hour after snowfall begins. If cars are not moved from these streets, they may be towed.
The Milford Police Department says cars must be removed from NE and NW Front Streets, SE Front Street, Lakeview Avenue and North and South Walnut Streets after snow fall exceeds one hour.
DEMA urges residents to stay off the roads during the storm. They also say their State Emergency Operations Center will activate Sunday at 5 p.m. to coordinate with state and local partners on resource and messaging needs.
You can check online interactive maps for road conditions in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.
We'll keep you updated as road conditions, closures, delays and advisories are issued throughout the weekend. Join WBOC News and CoastTV on Sunday evening for a special joint coverage livestream on this weekend’s winter storm.
Stay up to date on the approaching winter storm with radar and hourly forecasts in the WBOC weather app, available for Apple and Android.
Manténgase informado sobre la tormenta invernal que se acerca a nuestra área con la aplicación del tiempo de Telemundo Delmarva, disponible para Apple y Android.
