The Delaware region is bracing for yet the 4th nor’easter as heavy wet snow is predicted to drop over the region between Tuesday and Wednesday evening.
NEW CASTLE (DE): As we move into the first day of Spring, the fourth Nor’easter is expected to hit the region on Tuesday. This makes it the fourth nor’easter since the start of March and there are some very intimidating accumulations being forecasted by weather meteorologists.
This storm is predicted to be a powerful two-punch storm with both snow and sleet to hit the northeast corridor on Tuesday, but the real show starts on Wednesday.
For Delaware, snow and sleet is expected overnight Tuesday. The heavy snow should arrive late Wednesday morning and continue into the evening. The snowfall rate is expected to be one to three inches an hour, according to meteorologist predictions.
Eastern Pennsylvania and the states of New Jersey are under a winter storm warning until 2 a.m. Thursday. The latest projections call for accumulations of eight to 12 inches in most of South Jersey and western Chester County to 12 to 18 inches around Philadelphia and points north. Winds also are expected to be a problem, particularly at the Shore.
As the storm intensified, more than half of flights at Philadelphia International Airport had been cancelled with more cancelations expected as we get closer to Wednesday.
Part 1 of #Noreaster4 underway at PHL. Light snow falling at Noon, aircraft deicing ongoing. Numerous flight cancellations reported. Be sure to check flight status with your airline before coming to the airport wherever you’re flying the next couple of days. pic.twitter.com/Z6vCbC5Wsf
— PHLAirport (@PHLAirport) March 20, 2018
Amtrak also announced some service interruptions and went live with a modified service schedule:
SERVICE UPDATE: Due to the winter storm in the Northeast, we will continue modified service on Thurs. 3/22. Full service will be restored when weather conditions allow us to safely do so. Please continue to follow us for service updates. Details are outlined below. pic.twitter.com/7j3RqfPUOc
— Amtrak Northeast (@AmtrakNEC) March 21, 2018
In the early stages of the storm, Delmarva Power reported “scattered outages” but said it remained ready for the full brunt of Toby.
According to Delmarva’s Communications spokesman, “Delmarva Power’s Emergency Response Organization is fully activated and ready to respond. Although damage and outages have been limited so far today, crews and personnel are prepared to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore service to customers should additional outages occur.”
Delmarva already has nearly 260 internal linemen, and more than 240 overhead line contractors and tree crew personnel. Their call centers are also staffed and prepared to support its customers. “Representatives are in close contact with state and local emergency management agencies to ensure a coordinated community response.”
Governor Carney issued a Level 1 Driving Warning effective at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday for New Castle and Kent Counties as snowfall continues.
A Level 1 Driving Warning means that “any person operating a motor vehicle shall exercise extra caution in the operation of their motor vehicle. In addition, motorists are encouraged not to operate a motor vehicle on the State’s roadways unless there is a significant safety, health, or business reason to do so.”
Governor Carney also announced that State of Delaware offices in New Castle County will be closed Wednesday, March 21, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Non-essential employees who live or work in New Castle County are not to report to work for this period. Essential employees are to report as scheduled.
DART announced the suspension of all bus service at 6:00 p.m. in New Castle and Kent Counties:
“All DART bus service in Kent and New Castle Counties will be suspended at 6 PM on Wednesday, March 21. Riders should plan accordingly.”
Paratransit customers with scheduled trips after 6 PM in Kent or New Castle Counties will be contacted to reschedule to an earlier trip. Please call 1-800-652-3278, option 1 for more information.
Additonally, SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line is operating a Saturday schedule with enhanced service to Fairplay at Churchmans Crossing and Newark Stations. See this schedule at: http://www.septa.org/schedules/rail/special/pdf/WIL_1.html
The Wilmington and Delaware City DMVs will be closed on Wednesday, March 21, 2018
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) continues to treat roads. As of 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, DelDOT maintenance & operations yards in New Castle County are fully staffed and treating roadways due to icy conditions.
Currently, the only flooding-related road closure is River Road located in Oak Orchard in Sussex County.
