DOVER, Del. - The City of Dover has declared a State of Emergency after a reported tornado touched down Thursday evening, according to the Dover Police Department.
Officials say the city likely experienced a tornado on Aug. 20 and put a State of Emergency in effect as of 6:20 p.m.
The Dover Police Department says significant damage has been reported throughout the city, with numerous downed trees, flooding, and other damage. According to authorities, the hardest-hit area appears to be the Division Street/Lockerman Steet corridor and parts of N. Dupont Highway.
Dover Police Department spokesman Mark Hoffman said the Super Lodge and Days Inn on North Dupont Highway took a significant hit from what police believe was a tornado.
"Behind me, you're seeing the Super Lodge and the Days Inn Hotel on North DuPont Highway, which took a pretty significant hit from what we believe is a tornado that came through the Dover area shortly after 6 p.m. today," Hoffman said.
Police say the city is dealing with significant power outages affecting numerous intersections where traffic signals are not functioning.
"We have reports throughout the entire city with trees down, flooding, various damages," Hoffman said. "But the most significant portion appears to be here at these hotels... and along the Route 8, Loockerman Street corridor."
First responders ask that neighbors stay off the roads and stay home as emergency crews respond to the damage. Some roads are expected to be blocked or hazardous due to the conditions.
Hoffman said people traveling to the damaged areas to look around could make it harder for first responders to do their jobs.
"We need people to stay home and get off our roads," Hoffman said.
If drivers encounter an intersection with the traffic lights out, police advise the following:
-Stop and treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
-Slow down and proceed cautiously.
-Watch for other vehicles, pedestrians, and emergency responders.
-Never assume another driver is going to stop.
Dover Police also ask that residents only call 911 for true emergencies.
The majority of Delmarva remains under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. Several tornado warnings have already been issued across the peninsula Thursday afternoon into evening.
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