LATEST WINTER STORM UPDATE:
While there is still uncertainty regarding the amounts of snow the Dover area will see beginning Monday and throughout Tuesday, there is little doubt that a winter storm is on the way. Early predictions range in expected snow accumulation of 4-10″ inches for the Dover/Kent County Region with sustained winds of 15-25 mph and gusts up to 40 mph. Blowing/drifting snow will make efforts to clear roadways more difficult. A winter storm watch has been issued by the National Weather Service from 6:00PM Monday, January 26th through Noon on Tuesday, January 27th. Updated weather reports can be found here: National Weather Service-Dover, DE
CITY OF DOVER CITIZENS:
- The City of Dover Police Department will continue normal patrol operations throughout the duration of the storm and has a fleet of 4×4 vehicles prepared to continue to serve the City of Dover.
- The following streets must be cleared of parked vehicles within 1 hour of the first snowfall: Division Street, Water Street, Governors Avenue, and State Street. Vehicles not moved are subject to ticketing and towing at the owners expense by the City of Dover Police Department.
- City of Dover residents must clear their sidewalks of snow within 24 hours after final snowfall. This code is strictly enforced by City of Dover Inspections/Code Enforcement.
- The City is requesting that residents NOT leave trash cans and other items on the curb/sidewalks to allow room for the plows to clear the roadways without obstacles.
If possible, do not park on any roadsides to allow plows the ability to properly clear roadways.
TRAVEL:
The City of Dover Police Department strongly urges motorists to avoid any unnecessary travel once the snow begins to fall. Driving only puts you and public safety workers at risk. This also allows the plow drivers plenty of room on our roadways to properly clear the roads of accumulating snow. If you must travel, please follow the following recommendations:
PREPARATION TIPS:
The American Red Cross recommends the following preparations for winter storms:
Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day
Food—at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
Flashlight
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
Extra batteries
First aid kit
Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
Sanitation and personal hygiene items
Cell phone with chargers
Family and emergency contact information
Extra cash
Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
Tools/supplies for securing your home
Sand, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter to make walkways and steps less slippery
Warm coats, gloves or mittens, hats, boots and extra blankets and warm clothing for all household members
Ample alternate heating methods such as fireplaces or wood or coal-burning stoves
SHELTER INFORMATION:
People seeking shelter should dial 211 from any phone. An Intake Housing Specialist will be available to assist between the hours of M-F; 8-5. After hours calls to 211 will be directed to shelters with openings. Additional Code Purple shelter information is listed below (copied from Code Purple website):
Code Purple will be in effect, Friday January 23 , 2015 thru Saturday January 31, 2015. The following sanctuaries will be open (please note times and addresses to follow after the schedule)
Friday January 23
Mt Carmel (men only) opens 5pm Overflow to Dover Interfaith Mission
Shepherd’s Place (women and children) 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Saturday January 24
Mt Carmel (men only) Overflow to Dover Interfaith opens 5pm
Shepherd’s Place (women and children) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Sunday January 25
Dover Presbyterian (men only) opens 5pm
Wyoming UMC (men only) opens 6pm
Shepherd’s Place (women and children) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Monday January 26
Dover Presbyterian Church (men only) overflow to Dover Interfaith opens 5pm
Calvary Baptist Church (women and children) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Tuesday January 27
Dover Presbyterian (men only) opens 5pm
Wyoming UMC (men) opens 6pm
Calvary Baptist Church (women and children) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Wednesday January 28
Dover Presbyterian Church (men only) opens 5pm Overflow to Dover Interfaith
Wesley UMC (women and children) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Thursday January 29
Mt Carmel Church (men only) opens 5pm
Wyoming UMC (men only) opens 6pm
Christ Church (men only) overflow for men opens 5pm
Wesley UMC (women and children) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Friday January 30
Mt Carmel (men only) opens 5pm
Wyoming UMC (men only) opens 6pm
Christ Church (men only) overflow for men opens 5pm
Shepherd’s Place (women and children) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Saturday January 31
Mt Carmel (men only) opens 5pm
Wyoming UMC (men only) opens 6pm
Shepherd’s Place (women and children) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Addresses for the Sanctuaries:
Calvary Baptist Church 410 Fulton Street Dover, DE
Christ Church 523 South State Street Dover, DE
Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing 684 Forest Street Dover, DE (302-736-3600)
Dover Presbyterian Church 54 S State Street Dover, DE (entrance is on Reed Street)
Milford Community Center 105 NE Front Street Milford, DE
Mt Carmel Church 117 N West Street Dover, DE
Shepherd’s Place 1362 S Governor’s Ave Dover, DE
Wesley UMC 209 S State Street Dover, DE (Building behind the Church on E North Street- purple lights in the window)
Wyoming UMC 216 Wyoming Mill Road Dover, DE 19901
Morning leave time is 7am for each day listed.
Please call 1-800-733-6816 for any further updates this week
PETS:
***A Message from the Dover Police Animal Control Unit***
With temperatures below freezing, please remember to bring your pets inside in the cold weather, snow, and ice. Animal Cruelty is a crime in Delaware. If it is too cold outside for you, it’s probably too cold outside for your pets. If you must leave your pets outside, it is required they have adequate shelter, consisting of three sides and a roof, and fresh (unfrozen) water at all times. Wood chips are an excellent idea for bedding and allow for adequate drainage/drying. Blankets/towels will absorb moisture and can worsen the situation for the animal. A plastic covering or an unused thick door mat covering the doghouse entrance works excellent to keep the wind out if you need a makeshift door. Dover Police Animal Control will be conducting checks on animals in the City of Dover to ensure adequate shelter or water laws are followed and seizing animals if violations are found. Animal Cruelty in the City of Dover fines can range up to $100.00 per dog with stiffer penalties for violations of state laws. Please report any animal cruelty to the Dover Police Department 302-736-7111.