PhillyTablet Inquirer Daily News
Mobile
Home Delivery
philly.com
email
font size
options
 
Friday, August 26, 2011

Delaware evacuates as Irene moves north

Del. Gov. Jack Markell's evacuation order. Excerpts: "Given the severity of Hurricane Irene, Governor Jack Markell today expanded his mandatory evacuation order to include all persons in coastal areas... Evacuations should be completed before 9 am on Saturday."

Markell expects Hurricane Irene winds on Saturday will force closure of the four bridges over the C&D Canal at Delaware 9, US 13, Delaware 1 and Delaware 896, just about turning the Delmarva Peninsula into an island. He also expects to shut the Indian River Inlet bridge connecting Ocean City, MD and neighboring resorts with Rehoboth Beach and points north: “People need to reach their destinations well before we reach those closure points on Saturday.”

Here's good news: "Tolls along Route 1 have been suspended to aid in the speed of the coastal evacuation." Alternate routes at www.delaware.gov. Also state government workers (except police and emergency) were sent home at noon Friday.

"All businesses in evacuated areas must be closed by midnight this evening." Police, ambulance, food and fuel deliveries, utility workers and reporters are exempt. No driving ban, because they're trying to get people to move, though a ban could be instituted as "storm conditions make driving unsafe." #irene
Posted by Joseph N. DiStefano @ 1:41 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
Comments   


0 comments
About Joseph N. DiStefano
Joseph N. DiStefano writes this blog to feed his PhillyDeals column in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Joe has been a member of Bloomberg LP’s New York Finance Team, wrote the book “Comcasted,” taught writing at St. Joseph’s University, and studied economics and history at Penn. Reach Joe at 215-854-5194 and JoeD@phillynews.com
Advertise Here