LATEST WINTER STORM UPDATE:
While there are many conflicting forecasts for the weekend, there is a possibility of the Dover area receiving accumulating snowfall between January 22nd and 23rd. Some forecasts have predicted as much as a foot of snow for our area with others predicting 1-3″ at this time.
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:
DRIVING RESTRICTIONS:
Should the Governor call for driving restrictions, the following information will apply:
The following levels are found in Title 20 of the Delaware Code, Subsection 3116(b)(12) (see below reference for exact charge) and may be put in effect by the Governor during a State of Emergency for all or parts of Delaware based on conditions.
• Level 1 Driving Warning: Drivers are discouraged from operating a motor vehicle on the state’s roadways, unless there is a significant safety, health or business reason to do so.
• Level 2 Driving Restriction: Travel on the roads is restricted to emergency workers, public utilities, healthcare providers including hospital staff, public and private operators of snow removal equipment, private sector food and fuel deliveries, and those industries, companies or organization that have been provided a waiver, including businesses with pressing continuity and operational issues.
• Level 3 Driving Ban: Complete ban on driving except for first responders, utility personnel, and public or private snow removal. Businesses and organizations should adjust work schedules so that employees do not need to be on the roads during a Level 3 Driving Ban.
PREPARATION TIPS:
- 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
- Routinely check on elderly family and neighbors
- Bring ALL Pets INDOORS
- Turn faucets on a low drip to prevent freezing of household pipes
- If pipes are frozen, DO NOT use a blow torch or other flame source to thaw them!!!
CODE PURPLE 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):
SCHEDULE OF SHELTERS:
Code Purple will be in effect for the following days : January 20th thru January 26th
The following sanctuaries will be open ( addresses to follow after the schedule)
*Please note transportation for the men to Wyoming Church- All guests must be at Dover Interfaith by 4:30pm and the bus will be leaving at 5pm. Only one trip will be made so please spread the word out the time. The bus will be returning our guests the following morning back to Interfaith. Please email with any questions
Wednesday, January 20, 2016*
Wyoming UMC (men only) opens 5pm*
Centennial UMC, Smyrna (men only) opens pm
Wesley UMC (women and children only) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Thursday, January 21, 2016*
Wyoming UMC (men only) opens 5pm*
Centennial UMC Smyrna (men only) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Wesley UMC (women and children) opens 5pm
Friday, January 22, 2016* stay tuned for snow alerts and emergency shelter times
Wyoming UMC (men only) opens 5pm*
Centennial UMC Smyrna (men only) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Christ Church, Dover (women and children) opens 5pm
Saturday, January 23, 2016* stay tuned for snow alerts and emergency shelter times
Wyoming UMC (men only) opens 5pm*
Centennial UMC Smyrna (men only) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Christ Church, Dover (women and children) opens 5pm
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Dover Presbyterian (men only) opens 5pm
Centennial UMC Smyrna (men only) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Christ Church, Dover (women and children) opens 5pm
Monday, January 25, 2016
Dover Presbyterian (men only) opens 5pm
Centennial UMC Smyrna (men only) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Calvary Baptist Church (women and children) opens 5pm
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Dover Presbyterian (men only) opens 5pm
Centennial UMC Smyrna (men only) opens 5pm
Milford Community Center (women and children) opens 5pm
Calvary Baptist Church Dover (women and children) opens 5pm
Addresses for the Sanctuaries:
-Centennial UMC 44 East Mount Vernon Street, Smyrna, DE
-Calvary Baptist- Fulton Street and New Street, Dover, DE
-Christ Church 523 South State Street Dover, DE
-Dover Presbyterian Church 54 S State Street Dover, DE (entrance is on Reed Street)
-Milford Community Center 105 NE Front Street Milford, DE
-Wesley UMC 15 E North Strt Dover, DE Please come to the building in Church parking lot, purple light is on outside on North Street
-Wyoming UMC 216 Wyoming Mill Road Dover, DE 19901
Morning leave time is 7am for each day listed, sanctuaries will be closed as of Wednesday January 27th at 7am unless further noticed…..thank you all who are providing shelter and volunteering their time to make this possible and keep our guests warm!
PETS:
***A Message from the Dover Police Animal Control Unit***
With the winter finally arriving and temps expected to dip into the 20’s all week, Dover’sAnimal Control Officer is reminding citizens to ensure their pets have proper shelter. The best practice is to bring your pets in your home. If you must leave your pet outside, the pet must have adequate shelter with 3 solid sides and a roof with fresh water at all times (not frozen). Wood chips are a good base layer for bedding, as blankets can absorb moisture when outdoors and can actually make your pet colder. The Dover Police Animal Controlofficer is conducting checks on animals that are outdoors to ensure shelter laws are followed. Persons who are in violation are subject to seizure of their pets, city ordinance violations, and criminal charges for state law violations. If you would like to report animal cruelty in the City of Dover, please contact 302-736-7111.
