UPDATE:
The State of Delaware has announced driving restrictions will go into effect shortly across the state. The “Level 2″ restrictions mean non-emergency travel is prohibited. The restrictions begin at 6 pm in Sussex County, 8 pm in Kent County and 10 pm in New Castle County. Those evacuating flooding or flood prone areas, including shelters, are exempt.
Click here to read details of Level 2 driving restrictions.
DelDOT has announced three of the bridges over the C&D Canal – the Reedy Point bridge, the St. Georges bridge and the Roth bridge – will close at 10pm Saturday to all but emergency vehicles. The Summit bridge will stay open until wind speeds reach 45 miles per hour. DelDOT hopes to reopen the bridges sometime Sunday morning.
As the first waves of wind and rain from Hurricane Irene hit the First State, Governor Jack Markell (D) and other state officials continue to adjust their response to the storm.
In a early afternoon conference call, Gov. Markell announced the Indian River Inlet Bridge in Sussex County will close at 4 pm Saturday and will remain closed until divers can inspect he bridge after the storm. Markell says that could mean the span is shutdown for several days after the storm.
Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) Secretary Shailen Bhatt says the amount of water expected to move in and out of the inlet during the storm is the reason why the state wants to have divers inspect bridge pilings before allowing traffic to return to the bridge.
“We’ll have inspectors go out and take measurements and see if the bridge has moved at all, but we [also want to have divers go in and make sure all that water going in and out has not effected the foundation the bridge sits on," said Bhatt. "It's a safety issue and we're going to get to it as quickly as we can"
Markell added the those concerns about the current bridge are exactly why the new Indian River Inlet Bridge is being built to replace it. Bhatt says that new span, currently under construction, has been tested to handle wins up to 120 mph and "should be fine."
The bridges over the C&D Canal remain open, but state officials still expect them to close at some point as conditions deteriorate.
Markell also announced the suspension of tolls along I-95 at 3pm Saturday, but is now urging that driving be kept to a minimum. A decision on implementing driving restrictions will be made later Saturday based on conditions.
Gov. Markell noted that the most recent information on the storm indicates that winds may not be as severe as forecast as recently as yesterday, putting the focus of concern more strongly on flooding with between 8 to 12 inches of rain forecast throughout the state.
"Unfortunately, that flooding is likely to occur in the middle of the night," said Markell. "It may be a good idea for people to get up periodically tonight [and check conditions] if they live in flood prone areas or still to evacuate today.”
Markell added that shelters are starting to fill, especially in Sussex County, and the state is prepared to open more if the need arises. He reemphasized that shelters should be used as a last resort and that they “are a safe place to stay, but do not provide the comforts of home.” If residents do need to use shelters, they are asked to bring essential supplies, including things like medication and sleeping bags, with them.
Markell also expects power outages to increase as the storm advances over Delaware. As of 2pm, Delaware Department of Natural resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) secretary Collin O’Mara said the Delaware Electric Cooperative was dealing with 17 outages in Sussex County and there were handful of additional outages reported.
Markell says the basic message as the state braces for the most serious part of Irene to arrive is a simple one.
“Find someplace safe to be, get there now, hunker down and be prepared to stay there for awhile,” said Markell.
- You can find more information on Hurricane Irene and preparations for the storm in Delaware at the following sites:
- Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA)
- DEMA’s Disaster Preparedness
- NOAA Watches, Warnings and Advisories
- NOAA Hurricane Irene Watch
- Hurricanes and Floods: Emergency Management
- Sussex County Storm Information
- PrepareDE: Hurricane Preparedness
