State Of Emergency declared on State Of Delaware

State Of Delaware State Of Emergency

Strong blizzard has caused a havoc in that state of Delaware and Delaware Gov. Jack Markell has declared a state of emergency on Wednesday morning.

The blizzard covered the peninsula with another blanket of snow while state, county and municipal agencies struggled to keep up. A storm last weekend dumped up to 20 inches in some Lower Shore towns and followed another daylong snow fall from a week prior.

"This is the deepest snow I've seen since 1979," said Ray Stevens, a 42-year member of the Selbyville Volunteer Fire Company. "We had about 21 inches on the ground then."

Those who failed to obey the travel ban faced fines up to $500 or six months imprisonment, he said, and Delaware State Police reported more than 20 accidents and more than 30 disabled vehicle.

Stevens, also a past president of the Sussex County Fireman's Association and the Delaware Volunteer Fireman's Association, said many secondary roads throughout the county remain unplowed midday Wednesday, making them difficult to navigate.

"I didn't see any plow equipment on the roads until after the storm was over, and the snow was so deep by then that even the plows had a job getting through it," he said. "It was very, very tough on emergency equipment. Ambulances were getting stuck."

Stevens said he plans to remain at home until the travel ban is lifted.

A driving ban was issued in Salisbury at 2 p.m., when Mayor Jim Ireton declared a state of emergency in concert with a blizzard warning from the National Weather Service. The town of Princess Anne declared a state of emergency and driving ban at 6 p.m.

Source: http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20100211/NEWS01/2110351