New Castle County Emergency Management and Citizen Corps

10/07/2026

It's Fire Prevention Week!

Did you know?
🚭 59% of home fire deaths happen in homes without a working smoke alarm.
💲 $88,170 is the average homeowners insurance claim for fire and lightning damage.
🏢 $11.4 billion in direct property damage from U.S. home fires in 2024 alone.
🛠️ $27,200 is the national average cost of fire damage restoration.

Planning and practicing ahead of time can help everyone respond quickly. Make sure everyone knows what to do if a fire occurs—including children. Here are a few tips:
🏠 Identify two ways out of every room, if possible.
👨‍👩‍👧 Choose a meeting place outside where everyone will gather.
🚪 Close doors behind you as you leave to help slow the spread of fire.
🚒 Once you're outside, stay outside and call 911.

10/06/2026

Reminder of full scale siren test this morning…..

One final reminder that DEMA, DSP, and PSEG will test the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Station alert system on Tuesday, October, 6 2026 at 10:45 a.m. Sirens will be activated for 3-5 minutes, followed by a test message of the Emergency Alert System on local radio.

09/28/2026

Can your family reach each other if disaster strikes?

Emergencies can happen when family members are at work, school, or other activities. Taking a few minutes now to create a family communication plan can make it easier to reconnect during an emergency.

Your plan should include:
🏠 A meeting place near your home.
📍 A second meeting place outside your neighborhood.
📱 Contact information for family members.
👤 An out-of-state emergency contact who everyone can check in with.
🏫 School and workplace emergency procedures.

Practice your plan regularly so everyone knows what to do if an emergency occurs. Find a template here: https://www.ready.gov/plan-form

09/25/2026

Messy Weekend Alert -

Moderate to major coastal flooding is expected during high tides, with flooding expected in our usual low-lying and tidal areas. Flood-prone portions of Airport Road, Route 9, and marsh areas south of the canal could be underwater at times throughout the weekend. Be prepared for road closures and changing conditions. And never drive through flooded roadways.

With the storm tracking farther west and looking to do a “loop-de-loop” off the coast, periods of rain and windy conditions are expected through much of Saturday and Sunday. Wind gusts could reach 50 mph at times, with around 2 inches of rain…..making for an overall miserable weekend outdoors.

🌳 Saturated ground, strong winds, and trees still carrying their leaves will increase the risk of falling trees and limbs, potentially bringing down wires and causing power outages.

📅 Many outdoor events have canceled or adjusted their plans. Check with organizers before heading out.

A few things you can do now:

• Move vehicles and belongings to higher ground if you live in a flood-prone area. Make preparations before water rises.
• Never drive through flooded roads or around barricades. Water can hide a washed-out roadway. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
• Secure outdoor furniture, decorations, trash cans, and other loose items.
• Charge phones and backup batteries, and have flashlights ready in case the power goes out.
• Stay away from downed wires and anything touching them. Treat every wire as live and report it to 911.
• Use generators outdoors only, at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents, with exhaust directed away from buildings. Never operate one in a garage, even with the door open.
• Check on neighbors who may need help preparing, especially anyone who relies on electricity for medical equipment.

09/24/2026

Receiving timely information can help you make safe decisions during an emergency.

Make sure you have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts:

📱 Keep Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) enabled on your mobile phone.
🌐 Register for Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS) here: https://dema.delaware.gov/preparedness/index.shtml?dc=dens
📻 Have a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA Weather Radio.
📺 Monitor trusted local news outlets.

Learn more about emergency alerts:
https://www.ready.gov/alerts

Preparedness, Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Delaware

09/22/2026

Notice of Port Condition Wh***ey (Modified)

The Captain of the Port (COTP), Sector Delaware Bay, has set a modified Port Condition WH***EY due to the forecast of high winds in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware area beginning within the next 12 hours. A thorough explanation of port conditions can be found under the Port Hurricane Contingency Plan tab at URL: https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/District-5/District-Units/Sector-Delaware-Bay/.

The COTP has determined the region will likely experience gale force winds, increased seas, surf, coastal flooding, tidal surge and extremely low tides. Members of the port community should take adequate precautions and review the Severe Weather Contingency Plan. In preparation for high winds, the following provisions of Port Condition WH***EY are implemented:

Vessels must have effective mooring and anchorage arrangements for anticipated high wind; vessel agents are asked to notify vessel masters of this requirement.
Facilities must minimize debris that could become missile hazards.
Lightering, bunkering, and cargo operations must cease when sustained winds exceed 40 mph.
Vessels and facilities shall conduct a self-assessment for high winds and report any potential hazards or concerns to the Sector Delaware Bay Command Center at (833) 453-1007.
In the event that the COTP imposes further restrictions, they will be broadcasted on VHF-FM Channel 16. Additionally, all notifications will be forwarded to the Maritime Exchange and will be available as requested. The U.S. Coast Guard will provide the earliest possible advance notification before changing the port condition.

Mariners can also report conditions to the Sector Delaware Bay Command Center on VHF Channel 16 or call (833) 453-1007.

If you have any questions regarding the contents of this bulletin, please contact the Waterways Management staff at (206) 815-6688, option 3.

09/15/2026

September is typically the busiest month of the Atlantic hurricane season. While Delaware doesn't experience hurricanes every year, tropical systems can bring:

🌧 Heavy rainfall
🌬 Damaging winds
🌊 Coastal flooding
⚡ Power outages
🌳 Downed trees

If a storm is approaching, stay informed by monitoring forecasts from the National Weather Service and local officials. Be sure to:

✔ Know your evacuation route if you live in a flood-prone area.
✔ Charge phones and backup batteries before severe weather arrives.
✔ Secure outdoor furniture and loose objects.
✔ Never drive through flooded roadways. Just a few inches of moving water can sweep away a vehicle.

Learn more about local evacuation routes here: https://deldot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=dfa83d46ba27493bbebb642ff0733c40

09/10/2026

Is your house eqipped with fire-prevention measures?

⬛ Use fire-resistant materials to build, renovate, or make repairs.
⬜Find an outdoor water source with a hose that can reach any area of your property.
⬛ Designate a room that can be closed off from outside air. Close all doors and windows. Set up a portable air cleaner to keep indoor pollution levels low when smoky conditions exist.
⬜Create a fire-resistant radius within 30 feet of your home that is free of leaves, debris, or flammable materials:

Tips for getting started on projects listed in your wildland urban interface fire action plan.

09/10/2026

430pm Update:

The natural gas leak in the area of N. Gate Road and Stone Crop Road in the Northminster development has been placed under control.

The gas contractor is on scene and will continue working in the area. Representatives will be contacting affected homes directly to address pilot lights and any other gas-service concerns.

Residents may continue to notice some activity in the area while this work is completed.

Reverse 911 Alert:

Message from New Castle County 911:

Fire Department personnel are on scene of an active natural gas leak in the area of N. Gate Road and Stone Crop Road in the Northminster development of North Wilmington.

Please avoid the area while crews work to mitigate the leak. Residents in the surrounding area may notice an odor of natural gas until the incident is resolved.

Please do not call 911 to report the odor unless you are experiencing an emergency or believe there is a separate gas leak at your location.

New Castle County 911
New Castle County Police
Talleyville Fire Company

09/03/2026

⛈️ 11 PM Wed Update: The threat of severe thunderstorms overnight has lessened some due to the persistent stable surface air, however scattered thunderstorms are still expected across the area through early Thursday morning. Locally damaging winds, hail, heavy rain leading to flash flooding, and frequent lightning remain possible overnight.