09/03/2026
8PM WEDNESDAY STORM UPDATE
We’re down to fewer than 3,500 customers without power, meaning approximately 98.5% of New Castle County is back online.
We’re trying to make lemonade out of lemons here, but we also understand that if you’re part of that remaining 1.5%, it has been a long and frustrating 24 hours.
Crews continue working around the clock to restore the remaining outages. Unfortunately, some areas sustained significant damage to electrical infrastructure, and those repairs simply take more time. Current estimates indicate that full restoration may extend into Friday afternoon. We’re hopeful the bulk of the remaining customers will be restored well before then, but some individual outages and the hardest-hit areas may have to deal with another hot, humid, and stormy day tomorrow before some relief arrives Friday.
Our County libraries will once again be open tomorrow for residents who need a place to recharge devices and cool down.
We’re also reaching the point where refrigerated and frozen food becomes a concern for anyone who has been without power for an extended period:
* Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator will generally keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer can hold its temperature for about 48 hours, and a half-full freezer for about 24 hours.
* If refrigerated perishable food has been above 40°F for more than about 2 hours, the safest option is to throw it away. When in doubt, throw it out.
* Many stores in unaffected areas still have ice available. Ice or frozen gel packs can help keep food and medications cold in a cooler.
* If you have medications or medical supplies that require refrigeration, check the label or manufacturer instructions for the required temperature range. Avoid placing medications directly against ice unless specifically permitted, as some medications can be damaged by freezing.
* If you’re unsure whether a medication is still safe after being without refrigeration, contact your pharmacist or healthcare provider before using or discarding it.
We have also responded to a few carbon monoxide issues involving generator exhaust entering homes. If you’re using a generator, please take a minute to make sure it is being operated safely:
* Never run a generator inside a home, garage, basement, shed, or enclosed space, even with doors or windows open.
* Keep generators at least 20 feet away from your home, with the exhaust pointed away from windows, doors, vents, and neighboring homes.
* Make sure your home has working carbon monoxide alarms, especially near sleeping areas.
* Never plug a generator directly into a household outlet. This can cause dangerous backfeeding into utility lines.
* Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords and keep the generator protected from rain and standing water.
* Allow the generator to cool before refueling. Gasoline spilled on a hot engine can ignite.
* If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, or anyone develops headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion, or unusual sleepiness, get everyone outside into fresh air immediately and call 911.
Please continue to stay away from downed wires and give utility and roadway crews plenty of room to work. There is still a lot of cleanup happening across the County, but significant progress has been made since last night.
We’ll continue monitoring conditions and provide additional updates tomorrow.
