Officials hope worst of storm is over, but subzero temps cause more concerns
DOVER – Local officials are knocking on wood and crossing their fingers hoping the worst damage from this week’s harsh winter weather is behind them. Police, fire and service department heads have expressed relief after receiving fewer emergency calls than they had expected during the massive snowstorm early in the week.
Dover Service Director Dave Douglas thanked residents for their patience and commended crews for working long hours to get roads and alleys clear.
Sheriff Orvis Campbell has said there were only a few crashes and nothing too serious.
Dover Fire Captain Brooks Ross tapped his knuckles on a wooden table several times as he discussed a relatively quiet early part of the week.
He said his department responded to several calls about chest pains involving snow shoveling. One 58-year-old snow shoveler required CPR and a defibrillator after suffering cardiac arrest, but Ross says he recovered.
A man and a woman were taken to the hospital for mild hypothermia early Tuesday morning after spending the night in a car without heat at the Dover Park and Ride.
FREEZING TEMPS CAUSE MORE CONCERN
Now officials are worried about the sub-zero temperatures causing underground water main breaks and interior water line ruptures.
Douglas said Dover crews repaired a water main break on the city’s east side for over 8 hours Wednesday morning. It was initially reported around 2:30 a.m.
“With the temperatures being so cold for the next week we could have some issues with some more breaks,” Douglas said.
Ross says one Dover business’s interior sprinkler lines burst earlier in the week.
Douglas said he is concerned about pipes at some of the city’s older buildings rupturing. He says homeowners with similar concerns should let their faucets drip overnight.