Evacuation & Sheltering Info - City of Lewes, Delaware

Emergency Operations:

The City of Lewes is fortunate to have the services of a highly trained volunteer fire department, as well as a professionally trained and managed police department. These two departments handle the normal day-to-day emergencies that may occur.

In the event of a natural or technological emergency or disaster, The City of Lewes Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP) will be activated to coordinate an organized approach to managing an effective response to a disaster. The LEOP was recently updated in early 2006 and the Plan is now available on the City’s web site at www.ci.lewes.de.us (click on “Emergency Operations Plan” on the home page.

Public Alert and Warning:

To alert the public, the ** Emergency Alert System (EAS) has been developed. This system includes a cooperative agreement with the major radio and television stations in our area that have agreed to broadcast emergency information and instructions when we are confronted with such an emergency. The EAS Stations serving Sussex County are:

• Primary WZBH-FM 93.5 MHz
• Secondary WOSC-FM 95.9 MHz

** EAS stations will provide the most up-to-date information and instructions for the affected local area(s). Residents should remain in their homes unless they are instructed to evacuate.

In the City of Lewes, area residents and visitors may tune to the following radio stations for the most up-to-date information and instructions for the affected areas:

• WGMD-FM 92.7
• WKIX-FM 106.0

Many other local radio stations also monitor the emergency communication system and have agreed to re-broadcast emergency announcements immediately.

Early alert warning devices such as a NOAA Weather Radio provide an excellent source of up-to-date emergency information. In Lewes, turn to Frequency 162.550 MHz (Lewes, DE) or 162.474 MHz (Salisbury, MD) for current weather information.

How the Public will be alerted of a Major Emergency or Disaster:

If a situation or event becomes a potential threat to our residents and visitors, the public will be alerted by one (or several) of the following methods, as appropriate:

• Delaware Emergency Notification System - The primary system for public warning and emergency protective action information will be the Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS). DENS serves the entire state and is fully operational for residents and businesses that have listed telephone numbers. The DENS allows emergency messages to be delivered to a person answering the phone or to an answering machine. It also bypasses "zapper" type phone devices that stop incoming computer-generated calls often used by telemarketers. In addition to the Sate Emergency Operations Center and the Delaware State Police Communications Center in Smyrna, activating points for the DENS include the primary emergency 911 Centers in each county and Wilmington and the Division of Public Health. For emergencies in the City of Lewes, the system can be activated through the Sussex County 911 Center by a designated authorized individual of the City. If your phone number is unlisted or if you use a cell phone as your primary phone, you may contact First Call Interactive Network at 1-866-484-3264 or visit the First Call website to register for the DENS list. The registration line is toll free and prompts callers through the registration process. There is no cost to register. A street address is necessary for cell phone users, and only one phone number per address is permitted. When the DENS system is activated, as many as 300 phone numbers can be dialed within one minute. DENS can provide emergency notification to the entire state or to an area as specifically defined as 10 houses on one street. Calls will include the name of the agency that activates the system, type of emergency, recommended protective actions, if any, and resources for obtaining additional information. Appropriate Emergency Alert System radio stations and television stations will also be provided. The party responsible for the call, such as a chemical company experiencing problems potentially threatening to the public pays the cost of calls. Activation of the system costs 25-30 cents per call. Based on a determination made by the State, costs associated with a bona fide emergency due to a natural or technological incident that requires activation of the DENS, will be funded by the State.
• Emergency Alert System (EAS) Radio Stations – Frequent announcements over the local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio stations identified above.
• Lewes Police and Fire Department Personnel – City Police and fire department personnel using loudspeakers and making door-to-door contacts.
• NOAA Weather Radio – Provides an excellent source of up-to-date, real time emergency information.

What the Public Should Do if a Major Emergency or Disaster Occurs:

REMAIN CALM AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS.

If Instructed to REMAIN INDOORS:

• Seek shelter indoors.
• Turn on a radio to a local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio station for additional instructions.
• Stay indoors until Public Safety officials announce that it is safe to resume outdoor activities or that it is necessary to evacuate.

If Instructed to SHELTER-IN-PLACE Because of a CHEMICAL Emergency:

• Seek shelter indoors.
• Close all doors, windows and vents.
• Shut off systems that draw in outside air, such as furnaces, heaters, air conditioners, attic fans and other ventilation systems.
• Put out fires in fireplaces and close chimney flues.
• Move into and seal a room by:
• Placing wet towels under the doors.
• Using tape and plastic to cover windows, doors, outlets and vents.
• Turn on your radio to a local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio station.
• Remain sheltered-in-place until Public Safety officials announce that it is safe to resume outdoor activities or that it is necessary to evacuate.

If Instructed to EVACUATE (See Sussex County Evacuation Map):

• Take only the items that will be needed most for the next 72 hours, such as:
• Medications and special dietary foods.
  • Infants, children and elderly items.
  • Sleeping bags, pillows and blankets.
  • Valuable family documents.
  • Extra sets of clothing.
  • Portable, battery-operated radio, a flashlight, extra batteries and bulbs.
  • Sanitary items.
  • Games and books.
• Turn off lights and appliances.
• Lock doors and windows.
• Offer a ride to a neighbor.
• Continue to listen to the radio for further instructions.
• Proceed as instructed by Public Safety officials.
• Make arrangements with family members, friend or kennel to board pets out of the danger area if going to a public shelter.

Emergency Evacuation Instructions:

• Maintain a portable, battery-operated radio in working order.
• Maintain a flashlight or two in working order.
• Keep a supply of batteries on hand for the portable radio and flashlights as well as flashlight bulbs.
• Keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator and a supply of canned and special dietary foods that do not require cooking.
• Rotate the water, food items, batteries and bulbs through normal use, replacing items as they are used.
• Keep a manual can opener handy.
• Learn how to safely shut off and turn on the gas, electric and water utilities.
• Know how to drain the hot water heater in case the water is needed for drinking.
• Secure medications in a location for easy retrieval, but out of the reach of children.
• Maintain a first aid kit – restocking used or out-of-date items.
• Maintain valuable family documents and papers (such a birth certificates, medical records, insurance papers, wills and financial records) in a safe deposit box or a damage proof container.
• DO NOT use candles or other flammable devices for lighting in the home, because these items could cause fires.

How the Public will be notified of Shelter Locations:

• Sussex County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will designate appropriate shelter locations to be opened to the public during emergency situations, such as a hurricane warning.
• Shelter locations will vary depending upon the circumstances of the emergency event.
• Stay tuned to the local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio stations for instructions.
• Sussex County will make every attempt to post emergency shelter locations (when activated) on the county’s web site at http://www.sussexcounty.net/departments/eoc/index.cfm?action=shelter).

For More Information:

If you have any questions concerning disaster preparedness, contact: