Small Town News

Not again: Storm could bring more than foot of snow

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Blizzard warning issued for Sussex

Don't put away the snow shovels just yet

Another winter storm is bearing down on the Cape Region, and this one has the potential to be the worst one of the season. Rain, ice, wind and snow - lots of it - are in the forecast

The dire weekend forecast forced organizers of the Lewes Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics to postpone all weekend activities. The event has been rescheduled for March 12-14. The snow total could reach as much as 20 inches in most areas of the county, said Valerie Meloa, a meteorologist widi the National Weather Service in Mt Holly, N.J. Areas to the north could get 2 feet or more.

The Cape Region was placed under a blizzard warning from 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, to 7 pjn., Saturday, Feb. 6. The storm will be accompanied by sustained winds of nearly 30 mph with gusts exceeding 40 mph along the coast creating the potential for a nor'easter.

Debbie Jones, spokeswoman for Sussex County Emergency Operations, said the high winds could create serious problems. "The strong winds will not only cause blowing snow and drifting, there is the possibility of flooding along the coastline," she said.

In addition, there could be power outages. "People should have their cars filled with gas and have at least a couple of days of supplies on hand, including special-need items like medicine," she said.

She said the operations center is at high alert, including contacting potential shelter locations. "Residents should also be prepared," she said. Jones said the area could get from 12 to 18 inches of snow, but if the track of the storm stays over central Delmar-va, totals could reach and exceed 20 inches.

Two storm systems are approaching the Mid-Atlantic region - one that has soaked the South the past few days and another from the Midwest with blizzard conditions. Meola said the southern storm, which is similar to the storm that hit the area with 10 inches of snow last weekend, will have the greatest effect on the Mid-Atlantic re-gion. "But this one will be much more widespread," he said.

Meola said the storm could start as rain and a wintry mix around noon on Friday, especially in southern regions of the county, and change to all snow when the temperature drops at night. She said snow is expected to fall throughout the day Saturday.





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