February 11, 2010

Travel Restrictions for Kent and Sussex Counties Lifted at 6:00 pm, New Castle County Lifted at Noon Urges Caution as Colder Evening Temperatures Could Make Icy Roads More Dangerous

Governor Jack Markell announced that the State of Emergency continues to be in effect statewide until further notice to give the state added flexibility to combat the lingering effects of these major storms. However, driving restrictions will be lifted for Kent and Sussex Counties at 6:00 p.m. This means the end of driving bans for this storm.

New Castle County’s restrictions were lifted at noon, but downstate emergency services and local law enforcement had asked that the ban remain for several more hours to give them more time to prepare their roads.

The Governor again strongly urged drivers to continue to stay off the roads whenever possible, particularly since falling evening temperatures could make roads icier and limited visibility at night requires more caution.

“Our police, rescue and National Guard spent so many hours rescuing motorists who decided to drive out onto dangerous roads and found themselves promptly stuck. They put themselves and our first responders at risk for rescues that did not need to happen. Although the ban is lifted, motorists should remain cautious,” Markell said.

As the Governor pointed out when he lifted the New Castle County restrictions, there were over 200 additional reports of disabled vehicles across the state last night and more are expected this evening. Abandoned vehicles remain a significant challenge for emergency personnel. Such vehicles, some of which are blocking routes to healthcare centers, are being towed at the owner's expense. The Department of Transportation is working to clear the roads of snow, but this effort has been hampered by the need to move abandoned vehicles.

The joint public relations team, representing the Delaware State Police, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, the Delaware Department of Transportation, the Office of Highway Safety and the Delaware National Guard will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves. Non-emergency calls should be directed to the Delaware Helpline at 1-800-464-4357.

The text of the declaration is as follows:

State of Delaware

Executive Department

Dover

SECOND MODIFICATION OF DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE STATE OF DELAWARE DUE TO A SEVERE WINTER STORM

WHEREAS, the entire State of Delaware has been subject to significant and record-breaking snowfall, and high winds and freezing temperatures continue, creating dangerous conditions; and

WHEREAS, rescue of stranded motorists, power and infrastructure recovery, and road plowing efforts are continuing; and

NOW THEREFORE, I, JACK A. MARKELL, pursuant to Title 20, Chapter 31 of the Delaware Code, do hereby declare that the State of Emergency declared for the entire State of Delaware on February 10, 2010 at 12:01 a.m. E.S.T. continues to be in effect until further notice, with the following modifications:

1. Effective February 11, 2010 at 6 p.m. E.S.T., the travel restriction for operating motor vehicles on the roads of Kent County and Sussex County is lifted. The travel restriction for operating motor vehicles on the roads of New Castle County remains lifted. The lifting of the travel restrictions is intended to allow critical commercial activities and travel on major routes as they become passable.

2. While this formal travel restriction is lifted, motorists, other than authorized personnel responding in emergency situations, are strongly advised to avoid operating motor vehicles on roads in Delaware.

3. State and local officials are authorized to continue to remove abandoned vehicles from roads in affected areas at the expense of the vehicle owner.

4. Private sector businesses are strongly urged to consider the safety of their employees and the inadvisability of travel when deciding whether to resume operating.

5. Except as otherwise stated above, the February 10, 2010 emergency declaration remains in effect, and I continue to reserve the right to take or direct state or local authorities to take, without issuance of further written order, any other necessary actions authorized by Title 20, Chapter 31 of the Delaware Code to respond to this emergency.

APPROVED this 11th day of February, 2010, at 5:30 p.m.

Jack Markell

Governor