The day started with a very intense strip of snow covered according to northern Cook County, according to ABC7 meteorologist Cheryl Scott.
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The highest snowfalls are expected in Chicago and Cook County, as well as in areas along Lake Michigan, Scott said. Many areas had already seen a 10 to 15 cm drop in the middle of Monday afternoon.
The heaviest snow was expected to fall between 6 pm and midnight, with a winter storm from Texas spreading through the area on Monday night.
As of 10 pm, Valparaíso caught 13.3 inches of snow, followed by Midway at 11.9 inches, Oak Park at 11 inches, Harwood Heights at 8.8 inches and 8.5 inches at Oak Lawn.
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From midnight until Tuesday morning, the system’s snow will begin to decrease, but the lake-effect snow will continue. Finally, the lake-effect snow will begin to end gradually between 9 am and noon on Tuesday.
A winter storm alert continues until 12 noon on Tuesday for Cook and Lake counties (IL). Other warnings and warnings in the area end at 9am. Chills will remain below zero throughout Monday.
Heavy snow and intense cold create dangerous driving conditions
Heavy snow, gusts of wind and extremely low temperatures created dangerous driving conditions on the surface streets and also on interstates.
The Illinois State Police said that at 8:15 pm on Monday, they responded to 135 different accidents across the Chicago area and helped about 60 drivers since midnight.
“The biggest concern was when it started to snow heavily and everyone was moving very slowly, I couldn’t keep the snow off my windshield,” said driver Steve Martin.
The city of Chicago distributed more than 300 snowmobiles and asked drivers to slow down in tricky conditions. And with all the snow we’ve had recently, the city said it has plans, if necessary, to dump the snow in areas designated to remove batteries from neighborhoods.
“The main focus will be on arterial roads, so those of you who are on residential streets, be patient,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “This is a time of great interaction and we are ready to ensure that our city continues to function even in these extreme climatic circumstances.”
The snow fell so heavily that all the plows could do is make way for more snow.
“We have more than a meter of snow and when it comes down in groups, it becomes very difficult,” said Doug Halverson, a plow operator at Arctic Snow and Ice.
White conditions reported along Lake Chicago
In Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, the wind blew from the lake along Sheridan Road, creating heavy snow conditions.
A few blocks west of the lake, it’s a completely different story: the winds are much calmer and there is almost no snow. The snow caught some off guard.
“I just left the ‘suburb, and the suburb was nothing,” said Courtney Podczerwinski. “And then you go down here by the lake, and you’re completely crazy.”
Gas line fire shoots flames in the sky in Highland Park
The lake effect snow strip fell several inches of snow along Chicago’s north coast on Monday afternoon. At 6 pm, Evanston reported that 20 inches of snow had fallen. At one point, Wilmette saw an inch of snow fall in an hour.
In Highland Park, flames rose into the sky on Green Bay Road, where the city said a contractor tore the gas pipe up with a Bobcat. Highland Park officials said ComEd is working with North Shore Gas to repair the line.
Evanston blew his tornado sirens to alert people to take their cars off the main roads to a parking ban on the snow route, and Niles residents received a voicemail and text message letting people know that the worst of the storm I was coming.
Lake-effect snow accumulates in northwest Indiana
Heavy snow also hit northwest Indiana, where white conditions were observed on the beach at Gary’s Marquette Park.
The Indiana Department of Transportation deployed 1,100 plowed trucks on the roads on Monday night.
Students at Gary Public Schools were told to stay home on Tuesday. It was supposed to be the first day back in the classroom since last March – but now they’ll have to wait until Thursday.
Several Cook County vaccination sites will be closed on Tuesday, February 16, due to the winter storm, officials said. Vaccination will continue at Stroger Hospital, Provident Hospital and Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center, but all other sites, including large-scale sites, will be closed.
Authorities said that anyone who already has an appointment will be contacted and rescheduled for another appointment this week.
The COVID-19 test sites for mobile devices were closed on Monday due to extreme cold; however, the community-based test sites remained open.
According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, there have been more than half a dozen hypothermia-related deaths so far this winter. Frostbite and weather-related injuries are also on the rise.
To locate a nearby heating center, residents can call municipal services at 311 or visit 311.chicago.gov.
The city also has dozens of other places where people can seek shelter during the day, including the Chicago Cultural Center, public libraries, Park District locations and local police departments.
The city is also asking people to harvest and salt in front of their homes and businesses and check on neighbors. The city also encourages people not to snow the roofs, as it is a great way to get hurt. Authorities say that if your house is properly heated, some of the snow will melt.
Firefighters also remind people to make sure their smoke detectors are working – citing a recent wave of fatal fires and offering a reminder not to use stoves to heat and maintain heaters at least a meter away from any fuel.
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