Who: The State of Delaware issued the travel order. When: Starting at 10 p.m. on February 22, 2026. Where: Kent and Sussex counties (Level 3 ban) and New Castle County (Level 2 restrictions). What and result: Officials ordered a Level 3 driving ban that prohibits nonessential travel in Kent and Sussex and imposed Level 2 restrictions in New Castle to reduce life-safety risks as a severe winter system moves through the region.
Key Takeaways
- A Level 3 driving ban takes effect at 10 p.m. on February 22, 2026 for Kent and Sussex counties, prohibiting nonessential travel across those counties.
- New Castle County will be under Level 2 driving restrictions beginning at the same time, limiting nonessential travel and urging increased caution on roads.
- The announcement was issued by the State of Delaware in coordination with transportation and emergency management partners to prioritize safety and clearance operations.
- Essential and emergency vehicles remain exempt, including first responders, utility crews, and designated essential workers with proper credentials.
- DelDOT and state agencies will stage plows and crews overnight to treat primary and secondary routes; motorists are advised to avoid travel to allow operations to proceed.
- Travel bans and restrictions are based on forecasted hazardous conditions and may be extended, broadened, or lifted as road and weather conditions evolve.
Background
Delaware uses a multi-level travel advisory system to coordinate public messaging and road operations during severe weather. Level 1 through Level 3 designations indicate rising severity, with Level 3 representing the most restrictive state guidance against nonessential travel. The system aims to keep roads clear for emergency response and maintenance crews while reducing crashes and stranded motorists.
State and local partners typically consult National Weather Service forecasts, road sensors, and real-time reports from DelDOT to set advisory levels. In previous winter storms, moving early to stricter restrictions helped crews treat major corridors and reduced the number of weather-related incidents requiring rescue or towing services.
Main Event
At 10 p.m. on February 22, 2026 the State of Delaware announced a Level 3 driving ban for Kent and Sussex counties and Level 2 restrictions for New Castle County. The order applies to nonessential travel and is intended to keep roadways open for emergency and snow-clearing operations. Officials cited hazardous winter conditions and forecasts indicating heavy snow, mixed precipitation, or rapidly deteriorating visibility as the rationale for the measures.
Officials said essential services and emergency responders remain authorized to travel. DelDOT crews were positioned on primary routes ahead of the ban to begin continuous plowing and treatment; secondary routes are scheduled for ongoing clearance as conditions allow. The goal stated by authorities is to reduce accidents that tie up emergency resources and to enable quicker restoration of safe travel once the system moves through.
Enforcement will be handled by state and local law enforcement, who may stop or turn back vehicles traveling for nonessential reasons in ban-affected areas. Public messaging emphasized that motorists who ignore the ban risk being stranded or requiring rescue, and that towing or fines could be applied where local ordinances authorize them.
Analysis & Implications
From a public safety perspective, a Level 3 ban minimizes the number of vehicles on roads during peak hazardous conditions, allowing snowplows and emergency responders to operate without obstruction. That typically shortens the time needed to clear major corridors and reduces secondary crashes caused by sudden traffic slowdowns or spinouts. For counties with substantial rural mileage such as Kent and Sussex, clearing priority routes quickly is especially important to maintain access to hospitals and critical facilities.
Economically, enforced travel restrictions have a short-term cost in lost business activity and commuting disruption, but they often reduce longer-term costs associated with traffic accidents, extended road closures, and emergency rescues. Businesses that rely on logistics and deliveries will need to adjust schedules; public agencies advised employers and schools to prepare for closures or remote operations as needed.
Politically, timing and communication matter. Clear, early announcements reduce public confusion and increase compliance. Authorities must balance public tolerance for disruption against the potential human and financial costs of widespread travel during dangerous conditions. Future decisions will hinge on real-time road reports and updated forecasts, and authorities signaled that restrictions could be modified as conditions change.
Comparison & Data
| Advisory Level | Typical Guidance |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Normal operations; be weather aware and drive with caution |
| Level 2 | Travel limited to essential trips; use caution on untreated roads |
| Level 3 | No nonessential travel; roads prioritized for emergency and maintenance |
This advisory framework is intended to standardize response across jurisdictions. Level 3 bans are relatively infrequent and are reserved for events expected to produce severe impacts to road safety and mobility. Agencies will use road clearance metrics and incident counts to determine when advisories can be downgraded.
Reactions & Quotes
Nonessential travel is prohibited in ban zones to allow crews to clear the roads and to protect public safety.
State of Delaware (official announcement)
The statement from the state framed the ban as a preventive measure to reduce crashes and allow uninterrupted clearance operations. Officials encouraged residents to check official channels for updates and to avoid traveling unless their trip is essential.
Motorists should expect hazardous conditions and give snow removal teams room to work; delaying trips is the safest option.
Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT)
DelDOT noted pre-positioning of plows and anti-icing treatments on primary corridors. The agency urged citizens to keep roads clear and to move vehicles off priority routes where possible to expedite operations.
Unconfirmed
- Exact projected snowfall totals and precise end time for the travel ban were not specified in the announcement and remain dependent on updated forecasts.
- Details about specific enforcement penalties and towing policies in each municipality may vary and were not uniformly listed at the time of the release.
Bottom Line
The State of Delaware has activated a Level 3 driving ban for Kent and Sussex counties and Level 2 restrictions for New Castle County beginning at 10 p.m. on February 22, 2026 to protect residents and enable road-clearing operations. Residents in affected areas should postpone nonessential travel, allow emergency and maintenance vehicles to operate, and monitor official channels for changes.
Authorities will reassess conditions as updated weather data and road reports become available; the public should expect advisory adjustments and plan for disruptions to travel, school, and work routines until officials announce that conditions have improved and restrictions are lifted.
Sources
- State of Delaware News Release (official state announcement)
- Delaware Emergency Management Agency (state emergency management)
- Delaware Department of Transportation (state transportation agency)
- National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mt Holly (federal weather forecasts)