Gov. Markell Orders Mandatory Evacuation For Delaware Counties - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

DELAWARE - There has been a mandatory evacuation issued for coastal communities in Sussex, Kent and New Castle counties, along with a flood-prone area in western Sussex County.

The evacuation is from 8pm Saturday, October 27th through 8pm Sunday, October 28th.  According to the Governor's office, due to the increasingly severe weather conditions that are forecast to begin late tomorrow night, Sunday at 8 p.m. should be the end of evacuees' travel period, not the beginning.

To facilitate the mandatory evacuation, a limited state of emergency will begin statewide at 8 p.m. tonight, Saturday, October 27. The state of emergency that will begin tonight does not include any driving restrictions or bans, nor does it require business closures. Those measures, should they become necessary, will be announced as storm progresses and conditions worsen.

"While the predicted track of Hurricane Sandy has shifted a number of times over the last 24 hours, it has become clear that the state will be affected by high winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding, especially along the coastline for a several day period. These factors, along with the potential for power outages, have convinced me that the prudent thing to do is have people leave most of our coastal communities," Gov. Markell said.

Shelters in all three counties will open Sunday at noon for those who need them. Anyone needing the shelters should not evacuate their homes until noon on Sunday.

"Those who come to the shelters need to be aware that the shelters provide is space on a floor and some basic food. There are only cots for the elderly and those with special needs. People who evacuate to one of the shelters should bring sleeping bags, pillows and blankets, as well as books and games or other items to keep themselves and their families occupied," said Jamie Turner, director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.

Those in Sussex ocean communities south of the Indian River Inlet travel west along major arteries (Routes 26 and 54) to U.S. 113 to leave the area rather than north on Route 1. 

Residents who have evacuation questions may contact their respective local emergency operations centers:

§  Sussex EOC – 856-7366 starting Sunday at 8 a.m.

§  Kent EOC – 735-3465, starting Sunday at noon

§  New Castle County EOC – 395-5555 starting Sunday at noon

§  Wilmington EOC – 576-CITY starting Sunday at 9 a.m.

 

The state will open seven shelters at 12 noon on Sunday:

§  William Penn High School

§  Middletown High School

§  Smyrna Middle School

§  Dover High School

§  Milford Middle School

§  Cape Henlopen High School

§  Indian River High School

Mandatory Evacuation Areas

 

Sussex County

Sussex County Delaware Bay Communities

Slaughter Beach

Prime Hook Beach

Broadkill Beach

Lewes Beach, east of the Rehoboth Lewes canal

 

Sussex County Ocean Coastal Communities

Areas within ¾ of a mile of the coast in the following communities:

Henlopen Acres

Rehoboth Beach

Dewey Beach

North Bethany

Bethany Beach

South Bethany

Fenwick Island

 

Sussex County Inland Bay Communities

Areas surrounding the Rehoboth Bay, Indian River and Little Assawoman Bay

Flood-prone areas south of Route 24 (John J. Williams Highway) including Angola, Long Neck and Oak Orchard

Flood-prone areas along Route 26 (Vines Creek Road and Atlantic Avenue)

Flood-prone areas along Route 54 (Lighthouse Road)

 

Sussex County Western Communities

Flood-prone areas in close proximity to the Nanticoke and Broad Creek Rivers

 

Kent County

Woodland Beach

Pickering Beach, including any homes east of 799 Pickering Beach Rd.

Kitts Hummock Beach, and all addresses above 2123 Kitts Hummock Rd.

Bowers Beach, including any homes east of Old Bowers Rd.

South Bowers Beach

Big Stone Beach

Bennetts Pier

Port Mahon Rd., any address above 900

 

 

New Castle County

New Castle County, City of New Castle:

Washington Park Subdivision

Dobbinsville

From the Delaware River to Fourth Street

Penn Valley subdivision

Buttonwood subdivision

 

New Castle County, City of Delaware City:

All houses east of Second Street

The 100 block of Fifth Street

All of Delaware City Mobile Home Park

All of Polktown

 

Other New Castle County Coastal Communities:

Town of Port Penn

Augustine Beach

Bayview Beach

Any residences South of Augustine Beach and East of Silver Run Road/Route 9

The Delaware Helpline at 1-800-464-HELP (4357) will also activate Sunday at 8 a.m. for hurricane information. The Hurricane Sandy Delaware Information Line is also available at 302-632-7060. Residents are encouraged to check-in on the elderly.