Safety & Emergencies

Notifications

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Weather Notifications

Stay apprised in real time by email of hazardous weather conditions in Delaware when a news release posts on news.delaware.gov concerning events like snow, ice, blizzards or hurricanes by subscribing to weather alerts.

Delaware Emergency Notification System

The Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS) is the primary system used to warm Delaware citizens about emergency situations.

DENS allows 911 centers to send messages to specific locations or larger areas that might be affected by the emergency event. Since many homes and businesses do not use landline phones today, you can register your mobile phone in the DENS system.

Smart911

Plan ahead for any emergency by giving 9-1-1 the information they need to help you fast by registering at Smart911.

Environmental Release Notifications

DERNS alerts the public of the release or discharge of contaminants or pollutants locally or statewide when thresholds are exceeded.

In response to the 2001 Delaware law codified in Title 7, Delaware Code, Section 6028(a), the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) developed the notification system to promptly alert Delawareans to releases or discharges of contaminants or pollutants that meet or exceed certain thresholds in their neighborhoods or throughout the state.

Emergency Alert System (EAS) Radio Stations

• WDEL- AM 1150/ FM 101.7
• WSTW- FM 93.7
• WJBR- AM 1290/ FM 99.5

• WDOV- AM 1410
• WRDX- FM 94.7
• WAFL- FM 97.7

• WZBH- FM 93.5
• WOSC- FM 95.9

Weather

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Current Weather Advisories

Check NOAA for current weather advisories and alerts.

The DEOS snow monitoring network is a real-time resource for snow conditions across Delaware.

Hurricanes

Read the DEMA Hurricane Preparedness brochure

Hurricane Severity

• Tropical Storm: Maximum sustained surface winds, using a one-minute average, is between 39-73 miles per hour

• Hurricane: Maximum sustained surface winds, using a one-minute average, is greater than 74 miles per hour
• Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch: A tropical storm or hurricane is possible; typically issued 48 hours in advance of the area being hit by the storm.
• Tropical Storm or Hurricane Warning: A tropical storm or hurricane is expected to affect the area soon; typically issued 36 hours in advance of the area being hit by the storm.

Learn more about hurricane categories

Tornadoes

Tornadoes are incredibly violent, so you must be prepared to act quickly if a tornado occurs.

Tornado Severity

• Tornado Watch: A tornado in your area is possible; be prepared to take shelter if needed.
• Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted in your area; take immediate action for your safety.

Winter Storms and Floods

Winter Storm Severity

• Winter Storm Watch: A winter storm is possible.
• Winter Storm Warning: A winter storm is coming.
• Blizzard Warning: A blizzard is coming; seek shelter immediately.

Flood Severity

• Flood Watch: A flood might occur in your area; stay up to date with weather development through television, radio, or online alerts.
• Flash Flood Watch: A flash flood might occur in your area; be prepared to move to a higher elevation.
• Flood Warning: A flood is occurring or will occur very soon in your area; you might be advised to evacuate.
• Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher elevation on foot immediately.

In the event of a flood, move valuable items and important documentation to higher floors or locations in your home.

You can prepare for a flood by getting insurance that covers flooding. Read more about flood insurance here.

More Hazard Preparation Resources

• NOAA
• PrepareDE
• Ready.gov

Preparedness

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Disaster Preparedness

Emergency Kit

• It is important to collect supplies and build a disaster supplies kit that your family can use in the case of an emergency.
• Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Important Preparation Tasks

• Purchase or build a first aid kit. Include any essential medications that your family members might need.
• Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, hat, mittens or gloves, socks, and water resistant boots.
• Keep extra blankets on hand at home in the event that you lose power and in your car in case you get stuck on the road.
• Keep flashlights, battery powered radios, and additional batteries in an accessible locations.
• Store a water supply of three gallons per person, canned food, and a can opener.
• Determine where you can go if you need to evacuate, and make arrangements for your pet to be cared for in the event that they cannot come with you.

Make a Plan

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance how you will contact one another, how you will get back together, and what you will do in different situations.

FEMA provides numerous types of plans that you can download, fill out, and print for your family. Emergency plan templates include: Communication plans for parents, kids, emergency plan for pets, commuters, and evacuation planning.

Medical Card

A medical card can help to save you life. It is important in the situation in which you are unable to give medical professionals vital information about your health.

Pets

• Your pet should be part of your disaster plan. Get tips on what you need to consider when planning for your pet in an emergency.

Terrorism

Report a tip

• By phone 1-800-367-2312 You may remain anonymous when you report by phone
• By email force12@delaware.gov
• By submitting a tip using Delaware State Police's online tip submission form

When reporting a terrorism tip, please include the following information if possible:

• Who you observed
• What you saw (be specific)
• Where you saw it
• When you saw it
• Why it is suspicious
• If the person was driving a vehicle, provide the license plate number, make, model, year, and color of the car

Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

Driving

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Driving Warnings and Restrictions Due to Unsafe Conditions

When there are severe weather events or other unsafe conditions, the Governor may issue a Driving Warning, Restriction, or Ban. Press releases announcing these conditions are posted on Delaware News' weather notifications area. You can also sign up to receive weather-related press releases.

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. During a level 1 Driving Warning, all citizens are asked to drive with extreme caution.

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. Industries, companies or organizations that have been provided a waiver, are also permitted to be on the road, 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.

Level 3 Bans are different from Level 2 Restrictions. Level 2 allows people with waivers and essential personnel to remain on the road, whereas a Level 3 Bans are much stricter, only allowing emergency personnel.

Driving Waivers

Apply for a State of Emergency Driving Restriction Exemption Application.

Apply for a State of Emergency Level 2 Driving Restriction Waiver.

Essential Personnel

Level 2 Driving Restriction

Essential personnel include those who are necessary state personnel or those who provide healthcare services, food deliveries, and fuel deliveries during a state of emergency in both public and private industries.

Level 3 Driving Ban

Includes first responders, some state employees (i.e. police officers), people the governor has approved through executive order (i.e. utility workers), and operator of snowplows or debris removal equipment that have been hired by the state or private interests.

Transportation Safety

Hazards

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Natural Hazards

A natural hazard is a weather-related incident such and ice and snow storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, nor’easters, and flooding that pose the risk to cause significant damage.

Get assistance during a natural disaster:

• Red Cross
• FEMA Individual Assistance Programs

Nuclear Hazards

Hazardous material risks in Delaware

Delaware’s borders are within 50 miles of four nuclear power plant sites:

• Salem/Hope Creek, NJ
• Calvert Cliffs, MD
• Peach Bottom, PA
• Limerick, PA

Radioactive material is transferred through Delaware by air, water, and roadway. Since 1995, six shipments of radioactive material have been transported across Delaware’s waters.

What to do in the event of a hazardous disaster

• Go indoors or stay indoors and close all windows and doors.
  • If you are in the car seek immediate shelter. If you must remain in your car, turn off the air conditioner/heater and keep the windows and air vents closed.
• Turn off heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.
• Choose an above-ground shelter room and use duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal all windows, doors, vents, pipes, and cracks.
• Avoid the contamination area or anything that may have come into contact with the contamination, including food and water.
• If you must go outside, keep your body fully covered.

If you must evacuate during a hazardous disaster:

• Gather what you and your family might need, as you might be away for a few days (i.e. identification, money, credit cards, medication).
• Turn off heating, cooling, and ventilation systems in your home and lock your doors and windows.
• Make arrangements for how your pet will be cared for if they cannot come with you. Pets are not allowed in shelters.
• If you must evacuate during school hours, do not try to pick your child up from school. They will be cared for by school officials.
• Try to limit your phone use and only use it in emergency situations.