Rehoboth Beach has canceled the upcoming 2026 Lewes Polar Bear Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge as the Sussex County resort town continues dealing with the aftermath of last weekend’s snowstorm, organizers of the annual Special Olympics fundraiser said on Feb. 26.

“Rehoboth Beach is navigating significant challenges because of the snowstorm,” a Special Olympics Delaware email announced. “At present, the boardwalk and all beach crossings remain snow covered and many sidewalks throughout downtown Rehoboth are as well.”

The plunge and 5K had been rescheduled to March 1 after severe weather conditions in late January caused it to be moved from its original Feb. 1 date.

The plunge will not be rescheduled for this year.

More: Polar Bear Plunge in Rehoboth Beach rescheduled due to severe weather

Last weekend’s storm brought nearly 2 feet of snow to parts of Sussex, closing hundreds of roads when trees and wires were downed. There were also power outages across the county, including Rehoboth Beach which had to restore power to its wastewater treatment facility.

Plunging for a cause

The polar bear plunge is one of Special Olympics Delaware’s more popular fundraisers, drawing more than 4,000 participants last year.

In recent years, the event has been bringing in more than a million dollars for Special Olympics Delaware. Last year, plunge events drew $1.3 million, just shy of the record-breaking $1.5 million raised in 2024.

Alex Seymore, Special Olympics Delaware’s director of digital media, said the organization had already raised more than $1 million from this year’s event.

“We expect a small impact,” Seymore told Delaware Online/The News Journal. “But again, we’re showing that we’ve raised over a million dollars.

He added they are reviewing how the cancelation will impact them and their services.

“It’s been just a couple hours, so we’re not completely positive how it will impact things in the long run,” he said. “We’re thankful for everybody that’s helped raise this money through this time.”

What is still occurring

While the plunge and 5k and been canceled this year, there are other indoor events that will continue as scheduled:

Feb. 27

• 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Feb. 28

• noon to 2 p.m. ​Fire & Ice in the Atlantic Sands Ballroom, 1 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach.
• 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Restaurant chili contest.
• 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

President Donald Trump touted his Trump Accounts for kids platform during his State of the Union address Tuesday, Feb. 24, months before the savings account program goes live this summer.

Roughly 63% of parents open bank accounts for the newborns and young children according to The Financial Brand, showing that in general, opening a bank accounts for your child is a good idea.

But what, exactly, are Trump Accounts for kids, and does it make sense for you to open one for your child? Here’s everything you need to know.

Trump Account for kids explained

The IRS explained in a memo Trump Accounts will be available for any children under 18, with $1,000 seed money available for newborns and very young children.

That account will be seeded with federal government funds.

“A Trump account is a type of traditional individual retirement account that is established for the exclusive benefit of an eligible individual and that is designated at its establishment as a Trump account,” read the IRS’ Trump Accounts memo. “Upon an election under the pilot program, $1,000 is paid by the Secretary to the Trump account of an eligible child.

“An eligible child means a qualifying child who is born after December 31, 2024 and before January 1, 2029, who is a U.S. citizen, and for whom no prior pilot program election has been made.”

The Trump Accounts website confirms parents do not need to make a contribution, but can deposit up to $5,000 a year into the interest-bearing account.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in comments published Jan. 28 a single $1,000 deposit into a Trump Account at birth should grow to an estimated $500,000 by the age of retirement.

When will Trump Accounts for kids lunch, and can I apply in Delaware?

Delaware has faced a snowy winter with multiple major winter storms hitting the state.

While the winter has been volatile, spring might be a little less so. AccuWeather is predicting fewer tornadoes in the United States this spring, but there’s still the possibility of strong storms and flooding throughout the country.

A fast exit from La Niña could result in a weaker upper-level jet stream overall this spring, AccuWeather predicted. This situation reduces the conditions that produce tornadoes. However, the conditions support lines of thunderstorm capable of producing damaging winds and repeated rounds of flooding down.

“There may be fewer tornadoes reported compared to last year, but that does not mean this will be a quiet severe weather season,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus said in a new release. “There is an increased likelihood of severe thunderstorms packing damaging wind gusts and heavy downpours. Flash flooding is a big concern this year.”

According to AccuWeather, the peak time Delaware will see severe weather will be in May.

Are there tornadoes in Delaware?

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Funnel cloud over Frankford, Delaware, June 30, 2025

The National Weather Service did not confirm a tornado touched town.

While tornadoes in Delaware are rare, they do happen. Last year, there were two confirmed tornadoes in Delaware – one near Bethel and the other near Frankford.

Since 1954, there have been 80 tornadoes in the First State, leading to 78 injuries and three deaths.

The busiest tornado seasons were in 2020 and 1992 when six tornadoes hit the state. The early 1990s saw an increase in tornadic activity as 17 tornadoes hit the state between 1992 and 1995.

National Weather Service Delaware spring forecast

The National Weather Service is predicting equal chances that Delaware will either have above normal or below normal temperatures during the spring. The Maryland and Virginia portion of the Delmarva peninsula has a 33% to 40% chance of seeing a warmer than average spring.

In terms of precipitation, Delaware has an equal chance of having above normal or below normal temperatures during the spring.

Spring forecast: Spring 2026 starts soon; What Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts

What’s the difference between a watch, warning and emergency?

With spring quickly approaching, it’s a good time to brush up on spring weather terms. According to the National Weather Service, these are some of the different alerts.

• Severe thunderstorm watch: A watch means thunderstorms are possible in the area. Watch areas are generally large. People in the areas should pay attention to weather reports and changing conditions.
• Severe thunderstorm warning: A severe thunderstorm has been spotted in your area or is tracking toward your area. People should take shelter and pay attention to weather reports and changing conditions.
• Tornado watch: A watch means tornadoes are possible in the area. The areas are generally very large. When a watch is issued, it means it’s time to prepare for a potential storm and keep an eye on weather reports in case conditions change.
• Tornado warning: A funnel cloud or tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. You should seek shelter. Move to an interior room of your home on the lowest floor and avoid areas with windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle or outdoors, move to a shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
• Tornado emergency: A tornado emergency is the National Weather Service’s highest alert level and is issued when a violent tornado has touched down in the watch area. The tornado is a severe threat to human life and property, with catastrophic damage confirmed. Immediately seek refuge in the safest location possible.