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DELAWARE (1/25/2016) Many schools will be closed for a second day Tuesday as Delaware continues to dig out of a major blizzard.
Latest information on school closings, delays
Gov. Jack Markell lifted a state of emergency at midnight Sunday and government offices opened two hours late today to help keep the roads clear during the morning commute as Delaware Department of Transportation workers continued to remove snow and ice.
“We have made significant progress clearing roads in all three counties,” said Markell. “With the storm having passed, and knowing the work our DelDOT crews will be able to do overnight, we no longer require a state of emergency or to ask people to stay off the roads in the morning. However, I ask all drivers to continue to exercise caution and common sense. Please leave extra time for commutes tomorrow and recognize that on-street parking will be more difficult than usual, particularly in Wilmington.”
DART plans to operate regular service with the following exceptions: Routes 7, 8 & 10 will not operate until further notice; Route 16 will not serve Fairfield; Route 28 will serve Rodney Square and then be on detour between Rodney Square and Alapocas Drive; Route 117 will not serve Mifflin Meadows.
All other routes should be operating with possible delays, DART said.
Statewide paratransit will operate with possible delays. Riders are asked to have driveways and sidewalks cleared.
DelDOT said Sunday night that primary roads have been cleared statewide, and secondary roads are passable. Plowing of subdivision streets is to begin today.
Some drifts in isolated spots that can’t be cleared with regular plows may take several days to remove, DelDOT said.
Crews were able to clear debris and re-open Route 1 from Dewey Beach to Bethany Beach when floodwaters receded about 5:20 p.m. Sunday. DelDOT inspectors found no structural damage to the roadway or to the Indian River Inlet Bridge.
“I am grateful to all of the DelDOT employees, law enforcement, National Guard members, health care providers, and others who worked hard to keep people safe over the weekend while preparing the state for the beginning of the work week in challenging conditions,” Markell said. “I also thank all of the Delawareans who stayed off the roads as much as possible, limiting safety issues and allowing our plows to operate more efficiently.”
Delaware State Police said troopers responded to a total of 178 property damage collisions, 22 personal injury collisions, 354 disabled vehicles, and 88 traffic hazards during the storm.
The National Weather Service said snow that melted Sunday had re-frozen overnight as temperatures dropped into the teens, and drivers are urged to use caution this morning.
The temperature will climb into the mid-30s today and into the 40s on Tuesday. The sky will be mostly sunny today and there’s a 40% chance of showers late Tuesday afternoon and into Wednesday morning.
The weather service reported that 18.2 inches of snow was measured 5 miles west of Dover and 16.3 inches in Talleyville. Laurel had the highest amount in Sussex County with 8.8 inches.