Hundreds of Fallen Trees Blocking Roads in Sussex County After Storm

Delaware Department of Transportation working to clear over 400 downed trees from roadways

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Delaware Department of Transportation is working to clear hundreds of fallen trees that are blocking roads in Sussex County following a major winter storm that brought heavy snow and high winds to the region. The agency initially identified around 400 downed trees on roadways, with that number dropping to 300 the following day as cleanup efforts continued.

Why it matters

The fallen trees pose a significant public safety hazard, blocking access and creating dangerous driving conditions for residents and emergency vehicles. Clearing the roads is a top priority for the state transportation department to restore normal traffic flow and mobility in the affected areas.

The details

The heavy snowfall, reaching up to 19 inches in some parts of Sussex County, combined with strong winds, caused many trees to collapse onto roads throughout the region. DelDOT is responsible for removing trees from public roadways, but cannot do so until any downed power lines have been deenergized by utility companies. The cleanup effort is expected to take several more days to complete.

  • The storm hit Sussex County on February 22-23, 2026.
  • On February 23, DelDOT was aware of around 400 fallen trees blocking roads.
  • By February 24, the number of known downed trees had decreased to 300.

The players

Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT)

The state agency responsible for maintaining and clearing roads in Delaware, including removing fallen trees from public roadways.

C.R. McLeod

A spokesman for the Delaware Department of Transportation.

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What they’re saying

“This work will continue for at least the next several days.”

— C.R. McLeod, DelDOT Spokesman (delawareonline.com)

What’s next

DelDOT will continue its efforts to clear all remaining fallen trees from roads in Sussex County over the next several days.

The takeaway

The severe winter storm in Sussex County has resulted in hundreds of fallen trees blocking critical roadways, requiring an extensive cleanup effort by the state transportation department to restore safe and reliable travel for residents and emergency services.