To report concerns regarding snow plowing and extraction efforts, please email snow@wilmingtonde.gov.

Winter Storm Fern Snow Removal Update:

Updated 2/6/26 2:15 pm

Snow Removal

Beginning February 3rd, Public Works crews started utilizing smaller equipment to plow narrow residential streets that couldn't be accommodated by standard equipment. Residents should expect to see snow piles on those streets as a result of these efforts. Please be assured that crews will return to extract piles the following day. 

Snow removal crews will not operate on Saturday, February 7 or Sunday, February 8.

Sanitation Collection

Due to missed collections caused by recent winter weather, sanitation crews collected 620 tons of trash throughout this week. Collection is expected to continue as normal next week. Any updates will be shared here.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation.

Completed Snow Extraction as of 2/4/2026

S. Van Buren from MLK to 4th

N. Harrison from 4th to MLK

N. Dupont from PA to 4th

N. Scott from 4th to Pennsylvania Ave.

Broom from 4th to Maryland

S. Franklin from Maryland to 4th

12th to Vandever (all numbered streets in between)

Pennsylvania Ave. from Bancroft to Union

Union to Sycamore

4th from Rodney to Union

4th from Pine to Market

Walnut St from 8th to 13th

French St from 8th to 16th

Delaware Ave / 10th Jefferson to Walnut

2nd St from Walnut to Market

11th from Adams to Jefferson

10th St from Church to Walnut St

11th St from Walnut to Church

N Broom St from Concord to 18th

Baynard from 18th to Concord

Clayton St from 4th to PA Ave

N Broom St from Pennsylvania Ave to 4th St

King St from 13th to 6th

MLK West From 2nd to West

Spruce St from 11th to 4th

N Van Buren from 4th to 10th

Market St from 18th to 26th

New Castle Ave from D- Heald

Heald St from Christina Ave - D Street

Market St from 18th - Lea

N Harrison St from 4th to 12th

Market St from MLK to King

Justison St from West to Beech

Madison St from West to Beech

Harlan Blvd from Madison to Justison

Hollingworth Ave from Madison to Justison

Frawley Drive from Justison to Judy Johnson

4th St from West to Rodney

Washington St from 18th - Lea

A St from Christina Ave to Walnut

18th St Baynard to Broom

Washington St from 11th to 8th

N Van Buren St from Concord to 34th

34th St from Franklin Pl to Monroe

Judy Johnson Rd around Chase Fieldhouse

Walnut St from A-St - 4th (including digging out the bridge)

Union St from Lovering to Pennsylvania Ave.

General Snow Removal and Preparedness:

When a snowstorm blankets the city, approximately 200 miles of city streets are affected. To help you better understand how the City responds when it snows, the Department of Public Works Operations Division has prepared the following information.

The men and women of the DPW Operations Division are responsible for plowing and salting the streets. Additional support is provided by additional DPW personnel.

When the snow arrives, DPW coordinates with the Office of Emergency Management, the Department of Police and the Department of Fire to ensure continuity of service.

Snow Plow Tracker

Operational Plan

Plow trucks are sent to primary streets first. They are:

As snow continues and primary routes are cleared, plow trucks are redirected to alternate routes. After primary and emergency routes have been cleared, plow trucks move to clear the 17 neighborhood routes. They are:

City Code Regarding Snow Removal

When shoveling your sidewalks and pathways, please remember that Wilmington City Code prohibits depositing the shoveled snow in the street. Please read the code for instructions on where to deposit the snow.

Sec. 42-419. - Procedure for making pathways and snow clearance.

1. In removing ice and snow from sidewalks, it shall be unlawful to deposit any part thereof in the gutters or on the roadway forming a part of such public street. Such snow and ice shall be deposited on the sidewalk at or near the curb.
2. In removing ice and snow from private motor vehicle parking areas, including commercial parking lots for motor vehicles, or from any area which is not open and used by the public, the following procedures shall apply:
   1. Snow and ice shall be deposited wholly to the interior of the perimeter of the private lot or behind the building line and shall in no case be deposited so as to obstruct an adjacent sidewalk, gutter, or roadway forming part of a public street.
   2. The snow and ice removed from a lot or parking area shall not be piled beyond a height of five feet without specific permission to do so by the public works commissioner, nor shall such snow and ice be placed within 15 feet of any fire hydrant.

(Code 1968, § 45-117; Ord. No. 92-053(sub 1), § 1(j), 7-2-92)

Snow Removal Reimbursement Program 

If you are part of a civic association, neighborhood group, or homeowners’ association in Wilmington, assistance is available to help cover the cost of snow removal after major storms.

This application outlines the City of Wilmington’s policy for reimbursing eligible community organizations up to 75% of contracted snow removal costs for qualifying storms.

Download the application and policy

Water Utility

To learn how to protect your plumbing ahead of winter storms and to report water emergencies, please click here. You will be redirected to the City's Water Utility website.