Georgetown, Del. (10:30 p.m. Sun., Feb. 22, 2026): A powerful winter storm that could drop more than a foot of snow and blast Sussex County with blizzard conditions is already making its mark as the season’s most significant weather event, prompting at least one shelter opening, knocking out power to tens of thousands, and resulting in a temporary driving ban.
A blizzard warning remains in effect for all of Sussex County, through 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, as forecasters predict the strengthening coastal storm will leave as much as 12 to 18 inches of snow throughout southern Delaware. The storm, which began as rain Sunday morning and transitioned to snow sooner than forecasters had predicted, has already left more than 4 inches across most locales, and is expected to bring winds of 45 mph to 60 mph, along with moderate coastal flooding in low-lying areas along the Atlantic beaches and back bays.
Heavy bands of snow, possibly falling at rates of up to 2 inches an hour, are expected during the overnight hours tonight into Monday. Strong winds circling around the storm will cause blowing and drifting of snow that could result in near white-out conditions. As many as 23,000 Delmarva Power and Delaware Electric Cooperative customers in Sussex County are already without service, and more could come overnight, with winds and heavy snow felling trees and taking down utility poles and power lines.
Sussex County Emergency Management, in coordination with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross-Delmarva Chapter, have declared a shelter opening at Sussex Central Middle School (the former Sussex Central High School), 26026 Patriots Way, Georgetown, DE. The shelter will open by 1 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23.
“This storm is delivering as promised, and that’s going to present us with significant challenges for the next 12 to 18 hours, at least,” Sussex County Director of Public Safety Robert W. Murray, Jr. said. “Now is not the time to go out site-seeing and joy riding, so we urge the public to stay inside, stay off the roads, and stay tuned to media for ongoing updates.”
The public is prohibited from travel during the overnight hours and into Monday as conditions could make driving difficult, if not impossible, at times. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer has issued a Level III driving ban for Sussex County, limiting travel to only first responders, first informers, and essential utilities and public works personnel.
Sussex County government offices, as well as all State of Delaware offices, will be closed Monday, Feb. 23, due to the winter weather.
Sussex County Emergency Management continues to monitor this situation and is working closely with other local and state governmental agencies, as well as utility partners. Additional personnel are staffing the County’s Emergency Operations Center and paramedic stations to 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, including assistance in relocating to the designated shelter, should contact the Sussex County Emergency Management storm line at (302) 856-7360.
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