Sussex County warns of tight salt supplies after prolonged winter storms
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Summary
County officials told commissioners the 2025–26 winter season has strained salt reserves; the Department of Engineering said current stock and outstanding orders may leave the county with only about 2,500 tons if storms continue at current frequency, and officials urged municipalities to conserve and coordinate deliveries.
County officials warned at the Sussex County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Jan. 28 that unusually frequent storms this winter have put the county’s road-salt supply under strain.
“The average the county uses around 20,000 to 22,000 tons of salt during an average winter season,” a county Department of Engineering representative told the board, adding that the county currently has about 11,000 tons on hand and 3,900 tons on order but projects it will need roughly 11,013 additional tons to meet the season’s demand. “If the current trend continues with these frequency of storms, the county supply will quickly be depleted.”
Commissioner Carney, who opened the public works update, said the county had logged 16 winter storms in the 2025–26 season, requiring about 12,000 staff hours and operation of 67 plow routes. He noted the most recent storm dumped up to 20 inches of snow and praised public works and supporting divisions for their response.
County staff described the math lawmakers weigh in planning for the rest of the season: an average 4‑inch snowstorm requires about 1,000 tons of salt, and under the department’s current forecast the county could finish the season with about 2,500 tons of salt if storm frequency remains high. Officials said delivery schedules have been slow this season and that three municipalities contacted the county reporting they had temporarily depleted their local reserves but were receiving emergency deliveries.
County leaders said they have reached out to the governor’s office to request assistance and are continuing to monitor deliveries and municipal needs. Officials also encouraged residents to expect detours and temporary closures for major road projects announced at the same meeting, including a planned replacement of Sussex County Bridge X-43 on County Route 651 in Wantage Township that will require a full closure and posted detour once a contract is awarded.
The county recommended municipalities coordinate requests for emergency deliveries and said it will update the board when additional information from the state is available.