By Mike Finney

As predicted by the National Weather Service, more snow did indeed fall overnight, with Smyrna receiving the most statewide with 4.2 inches as of 8:20 a.m. Friday.

Road crews were ready to continue an already busy week, as another morning commute was impacted by slippery, dangerous roads.

“They say when it snows, it pours, or something like that,” Camden’s Deborah Yarborough said with a laugh Thursday afternoon. “It seems like we haven’t been hit with a double whammy of snow in quite a while, so we’re probably due for it.

“I just feel for all of the people who have to get out in the middle of the snowstorms in order to help keep us all safe. I am certainly very thankful for them.”

Charles “C.R.” McLeod, spokesman for the Delaware Department of Transportation, said it has been an extremely busy week for maintenance and operations  employees within the department.

“We have been brining roads across the state (Thursday morning) in advance of our next winter storm and performing equipment maintenance, which is common for us after any storm to ensure we are ready for the next one, which is now on our doorstep,” Mr. McLeod said.

“We brought full staff in at 3 a.m. Monday, and crews worked throughout that storm and after, pausing only for mandatory five-hour rest breaks before heading back out into Tuesday and, in the case of Sussex County, into Wednesday, and we also had crews come down from northern Delaware, where there was much less snow.”

Mr. McLeod noted that back-to-back winter storm systems can be taxing on road crews.

“It is a hard week for our employees with another storm so soon, as many have likely had limited to no time to be home following this recent storm,” he said. “They do a fantastic job of working until the roads are once again in good shape, and we always appreciate the thanks shown to them for their efforts by residents across the state.”

Thursday’s application of salt brine to dry roads in advance prevents snow and ice from bonding to the pavement, making it easier to plow off.

Suzanne Goode expressed her appreciation for DelDOT on its Facebook page Thursday.

“Thanks for all the hard work,” she wrote. “Coastal Highway in Rehoboth very impressive — down to pavement, and the shoulders/turn lanes were totally cleared. Hope (Friday) isn’t a big storm for crews which just finished the job from Monday’s storm.”

Linemen from the Delaware Electric Cooperative and Delmarva Power have endured similar long hours this week.

Vonda Joseph posted on Delmarva Power’s Facebook page Monday, “Would like to thank all the crews and staff for restoring our power so quickly. We are appreciative of those men and women who are out in the freezing cold, away from their families so they can give us the best possible service.”

DEC crews had all their customers’ power restored following Monday’s snowstorm by the end of the workday Tuesday.

Anna Deslauriers posted on DEC’s Facebook page, “Thanks to you all! You can’t play God and choose the weather! I am glad you could stay safe and get everyone’s power back on.

“Fingers crossed the next snow isn’t as bad for you guys!”

Friday's forecast calls for  patchy blowing snow between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and mostly sunny skies with a high near 31. Northwest winds of 15 to 20 mph were forecast, with gusts as high as 30 mph.