The state of Delaware state of emergency is still in effect today. Yesterday, the state of Delaware’s state of emergency was put into effect to stop people from going on the roads. It certainly wasn’t safe to drive yesterday, while the latest East Coast blizzard hit. Today, the storm seems over, as no more new snow is headed to the battered East Coast states. But the state of Delaware state of emergency wasn’t lifted, so it will still take a while for the state, as well as many others, to clean up.
In a state of emergency, only essential personnel and media members can brave the unsafe, slippery roads. Citizens will have to stay home, or risk not only accidents, but a $500 fine or prison time. In essence, the Delaware state of emergency is one giant snow day for much of the day,
Delaware Gov. Jack Markell ordered the shutdown early Wednesday morning – though Gov. Markell is on a business trip in Europe right now. He has still been able to communicate with city officials, and can even veto bills. The governor left to meet German and English business leaders on Saturday, as the first storm hit, and will return home tomorrow.
Whether the state of Delaware state of emergency will be lifted by then is unknown, as the area got hit badly this past week. Although Washington and Baltimore got the most press for what they got from the blizzard, smaller states have also been hit just as hard. New Jersey got as much as 20 inches yesterday, while Delaware got as much as 21, tying it for the worst snow storm in over 30 years.
Maryland, West Virginia and New Jersey have already declared states of emergency as well this week. However, despite the shutdown of government, Washington D.C. doesn’t have such a state declared, although D.C. Council members are calling for it.
For the Delaware state of emergency, it hasn’t been completely enough to stop all accidents. At least 20 accidents were reported yesterday, along with 30 disabled vehicles. Though the vast majority of citizens are smart enough to stay in, some will probably try to brave the elements. There’s also no guarantee that essential personnel on the road can avoid crashes either.
Although larger areas have been hit hard by the snow storm, smaller ones like Delaware are just as vulnerable, if not more so. Since their state of emergency is still active, and may be for much of today, there’s still a long way to go to get out of this winter mess. In that regard, Delaware is in the same boat with much of the East Coast.
Sources
Breaking News- “Latest Gossips Delaware State of Emergency”
WJZ 13- “Del. Governor In Europe For Storm”
Puggal- “State Of Delaware State Of Emergency”
Washington Post- “Washington region blasted by winds, record-breaking snow”
