Due to snowy and icy road conditions, Sussex County government offices will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

A winter storm warning remains in effect until 4 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, as the season's first major winter storm has dropped nearly 10 inches of snow across most of Sussex County since early Monday morning. A secondary round of snow, with another 1 to 2 inches possible, is forecast to move through the area Monday night before tapering off around midnight. Following the snow's end, bitterly cold air will rush into southern Delaware, with gusty winds, on average of 25 mph inland to 35 mph along the coast; temperatures will drop to the teens overnight, with wind chills hovering in the single digits until after daybreak Tuesday.

Windy conditions could lead to blowing and drifting snow well into Tuesday. As most secondary and tertiary roads in the county remain snow-covered, travel is expected to remain difficult for the next 12 to 24 hours. Crews from the Delaware Department of Transportation continue to work around the clock to plow roads in an effort to clear primary routes and make side streets and rural roads passable. However, with temperatures expected to stay at or below freezing for most of the workweek, icy conditions may persist. The public is urged to limit travel and use caution if driving on area roads.

While Sussex County government offices will be closed to business on Tuesday, the planned swearing-in of three new members of the County Council - as required by Delaware code on the first Tuesday in January following an election year - will move forward, albeit at a later time. A brief swearing-in ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Council chambers, located at the County Administrative Offices building, 2 The Circle, in Georgetown. Council will then hold its annual reorganization meeting before tending to general business and an advertised public hearing. The swearing-in and meeting will be livestreamed.

Please stay tuned to the County's website, social media channels, and local media for any pertinent updates, which will be issued as warranted. To follow Sussex County Emergency Management's Facebook page, please visit www.facebook.com/SussexCountyEmergencyManagement. For the latest road conditions, visit www.deldot.gov. And, for the latest weather updates, visit www.weather.gov/phi/.