1630 Hours, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010: More winter weather is headed for Sussex County as yet another coastal storm takes aim at the mid-Atlantic region with heavy snow and gusty winds in tow.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Sussex County, from midnight tonight until 6 a.m. Friday, for the possibility of 4 to 6 inches of snow. The latest storm also is expected to bring with it strong, gusty winds – perhaps topping 50 mph at the coast – as it intensifies and moves up from the Gulf Coast states into New England later Thursday. Additionally, there is the chance of some minor tidal flooding with this coastal storm.

Blowing and drifting snow are expected with this storm. Additionally, forecasters predict a heavier, wet snow to fall, which could further strain roofs and make shoveling or plowing difficult.

Emergency officials urge the public to prepare now. Property owners should remove or secure loose objects. Residents should stock up on provisions in the event travel is limited and power is interrupted. And motorists should alter or limit their travel, if possible, in advance of and during the storm. If you must travel, keep basic supplies on hand, including an ice scraper, blankets, sand or cat litter, flashlight and batteries, de-icer and a full tank of gas.

“This doesn’t look to be as severe as the two back-to-back blizzards we experienced earlier in the month, but that is no reason for the public to let down their guard,” Sussex County Emergency Operations Center Director Joseph L. Thomas said. “Forecasts can change suddenly, and a slight shift in the storm’s track could mean the difference between a glancing blow and much more.”

The 2009-2010 winter season has been among the snowiest in Sussex County in recent memory, with nearly three feet of snow so far. For February alone, the county has recorded approximately 24 inches of snow, according to preliminary estimates from the Delaware State Climatologist’s office.

Above-freezing temperatures in recent days have melted much of the snowpack, but with colder temperatures and new snowfall in the forecast, standing pools of water on the ground and along roadways will re-freeze, Mr. Thomas said.

The Sussex County EOC will continue to monitor forecasts for the impending storm and work closely with other local and state governmental agencies. Further updates will be issued should they become necessary.

For the latest list of road closures, visit the Delaware Department of Transportation Web site at www.deldot.gov. To view a map of power outages in Sussex County, visit Delmarva Power’s Web site at www.delmarva.com and the Delaware Electric Cooperative’s Web site at www.delaware.coop.

For further updates, stay tuned to local media outlets, the Sussex County EOC Web site, at www.sussexcountyde.gov/emergency-preparedness, or follow along on Twitter, at twitter.com/sussexde_govt.

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Media calls should be directed to EOC spokeswoman Debra Jones at (302) 855-7801 or Sussex County Chief of Public Information Chip Guy at pio@sussexcountyde.gov.