Georgetown, Del. (10:30 a.m. Sat., Feb. 21, 2026): The most significant winter storm of the season, and possibly in the last several years, is setting sights on Sussex County for later this weekend, threatening to bring blizzard conditions with heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding that could halt travel and leave many without power.
The National Weather Service in Mt. Holly, N.J., has issued a blizzard warning for all of Sussex County, from 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, through 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23. Forecasters predict as much as 12 inches of snow, though final tallies could vary, depending on the track of the still-developing nor’easter. The storm is expected to begin as rain Sunday morning, but then, as strengthening occurs and colder air is drawn in, change over to all snow late Sunday night. Heavy bands of snow, possibly falling at rates of up to 2 inches an hour, are expected during the overnight hours before subsiding by midday Monday. Meantime, winds up to 40 mph could cause blowing and drifting snow that results in near white-out conditions and potential power outages, with moderate coastal flooding in low-lying areas.
Property owners should prepare now by removing or securing loose objects, and residents should stock up on provisions in the event travel is not possible and power is interrupted in the coming days.
“This storm’s effects look very significant, but Sussex County has already had some practice with winter weather this season, so the public should be in a preparedness and readiness frame of mind,” Sussex County Director of Public Safety Robert W. Murray, Jr. said. “Preparation before an event, not at the height of it, is the key to protecting life and property.”
Emergency planners urge the public to expect the strong possibility of difficult travel, power outages, and downed trees as a result of heavy snow and gusty winds.
Travel on Sunday night and throughout Monday could be very difficult, if not impossible, at times. Those traveling for essential or emergency purposes, however, should be prepared with basic supplies on hand, including an ice scraper, blankets, sand or cat litter, de-icer, flashlight and batteries, mobile telephone, high-calorie non-perishable food and water, and a full tank of gas.
Meantime, residents and property owners should prepare themselves with basic household supplies, including extra food and water, first-aid supplies, flashlights and batteries, a battery-powered weather radio, extra prescription medicines, baby items, an emergency heat source and sufficient heating fuel.
Sussex County Emergency Management continues to monitor this situation and is working closely with other local and state governmental agencies. Additional staff are being called in to the County’s Emergency Operations Center and paramedic stations to be on standby and respond to issues that may arise due to the event.
For a list of road closures, visit the Delaware Department of Transportation website at www.deldot.gov. To view a map of power outages in Sussex County, visit Delmarva Power’s website at www.delmarva.com and the Delaware Electric Cooperative’s website at www.delaware.coop.
Stay tuned to local media, as well as the Sussex County website at www.sussexcountyde.gov. The public also should monitor the National Weather Service, at www.weather.gov/phi for the latest forecasts. Meantime, Sussex County offers a variety of social media outlets to relay the latest storm information. Please follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SussexCountyDE and www.facebook.com/SussexCountyEmergencyManagement, and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sussexde_govt and www.x.com/SussexCtyDE_EM. Updates will be issued as needed.
Sussex County reminds the public to only call 9-1-1 in an emergency. Members of the public who have questions regarding this information should contact Sussex County Emergency Management at (302) 856-7360.
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