| February 02, 2011 |
David Stolman
District 20 Representative and
County Board Chairman |
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Lake County Roads Now Open |
This week's blizzard has caused significant problems across Lake County. Most of the snow has moved out of Lake County, and winds have decreased, but temperatures are expected to drop rapidly this evening. Lake County Board Chairman David Stolman has proclaimed a State of Disaster in Lake County, and officials are asking all residents to avoid driving through 5:00 p.m. today. The Lake County Division of Transportation reports that the county road network is officially open, but is asking that all unnecessary travel be postponed until after 5:00 p.m. this evening. Many roads and streets remain snow-covered and impassable, with drifts of four to six feet common around the county. The most accurate road closure information is available at www.lakecountypassage.com.
Various county, township, and municipal agencies and non-governmental organizations have been working collaboratively around the clock to ensure the safety of people throughout the county. In several locations across the county, multiple vehicles became stranded on or along roads and were subsequently buried by drifting snow. Rescuers have used a combination of four-wheel drive vehicles, heavy construction equipment, specialty fire vehicles, snow plows, and snowmobiles to find and remove people trapped in their vehicles, and more than 200 people have been moved to warmth and safety in several temporary shelter facilities. Fire, EMS, and Township personnel along with Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Metropolitan Emergency Support Services (MESS) volunteers are providing support in these shelters, including canteen services.
Plow trucks and heavy equipment from various departments and agencies are working diligently to clear primary roads and will then move to secondary routes and streets. Multiple plow trucks, squads, and other response vehicles also became trapped during the height of the storm, and recovery of that equipment is still underway. Stranded vehicles are being towed off of roads by contract towing companies with coordination through the Sheriff's Office, so that roads can be plowed and normal traffic flow can be restored.
Snow reports from across Lake County average between nineteen and twenty inches of snow, and wind gusts of over fifty miles per hour were reported. No significant precipitation is expected for the next several days, but bitterly cold temperatures and steady wind will lead to wind chills colder than twenty-five degrees below zero tonight.
While little or no additional snow is forecast to fall, the storm will continue to present a health risk to people in and around Lake County. According to the National Weather Service, during a similar Chicago-area blizzard in 1999, more than forty people died from heart attacks or overexertion related to shoveling the very deep snow. In addition, as temperatures drop tonight, people working outside are also subject to frostbite and hypothermia.
We encourage all citizens to be patient as our communities dig out from the blizzard. Check on friends and neighbors to make sure they're okay, and take your time when clearing your driveway and sidewalk. Be cautious on roads and streets, paying particular attention to sightlines that may be restricted by large snowbanks.
Lake County will continue to support our many partner communities, organizations, and businesses across the area. Additional information will be provided Thursday afternoon.
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The Village of Buffalo Grove has been working diligently to clear the roadways and support individuals in need of medical assistance and those motorists needing assistance along the roadway. Following are Village activities that have been conducted in light of the winter storm and recommendations for homeowners:
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
. Do not rely on non-emergency service providers as many streets in the area remain impassable.
Village crews have been working around the clock to remove snow from streets. The Village is currently concentrating on clearing intersections along major thoroughfares and maintaining single passage lanes on most streets. All available resources have been deployed to respond to this storm and the Village is working on a 12-hour rotation.
The Buffalo Grove Police and Fire Departments are fully-staffed and ready to assist with emergency services, when needed. For resident well-checks, please call the BGPD non-emergency number at (847) 459-2560.
Winds are forecast to remain strong throughout the day, which will further hamper snow removal efforts. Wind chills will be frigid later today - take caution when outdoors. For weather forecast information, visit
www.weather.com.
Curb-to-curb cleanup of streets will not be possible until after the winds have diminished, which will most likely be later this evening and into Thursday morning.
Please be aware that driveway approaches will likely be filled with snow once crews complete curb-to-curb snow removal. This situation is unavoidable. We recommend that you postpone removing all of the snow from your driveway until Village crews have cleared the street.
If your mailbox is damaged by a snow plow, please contact the Village at (847) 459-2545 to report it. Mailbox repairs will be made after the snow control plan has been completed.
As tempting as it may be to venture out and see snow conditions, please avoid making any unnecessary trips. Vehicles in the roadway are a safety hazard to plows and slow down snow removal. Plow operators need to focus on the road first.
Residents with high-efficiency furnaces or clothes dryers are reminded to check all exterior intake and exhaust vents. Vents may become clogged with snow which can lead to toxic concentrations of fumes in the house and/or overheating of dryer vents which can lead to structure fires.
Cook and Lake Counties have declared a state of disaster today, February 2, 2011. Motorists are asked to avoid traveling on county highways during the disaster.
If you choose to travel and become stranded, you are asked to remain with your vehicle, running your engine to heat the passenger compartment for 10 minutes each hour. Make sure your tailpipe is not covered with snow and crack a down-wind window for ventilation.
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Post-Storm Emergency Information |
Portions of Lake County received 24 inches of snow during this blizzard. As residents try to clean up from this storm and remove snow around their properties, it's important to remember to take appropriate health and safety precautions. Avoid Overexertion Shoveling snow, pushing a car, or walking in deep snow can cause overexertion, which can lead to heart attacks. Please use extreme caution when shoveling snow, especially if you are not in good physical condition. The National Weather Service reports that immediately following the blizzard of 1999, more than 40 people died from heart attacks while shoveling snow. If you become breathless, stop shoveling, go indoors and warm up before continuing. Frostbite
Frostbite initially occurs in the nose, ears, fingers and toes, and can happen at any temperature below 32 degrees. Frostbitten skin is whitish, stiff, and feels numb. Children are especially susceptible to frostbite because they overlook their discomfort. To prevent frostbite, wear hats, scarves, or masks to cover the face, and several layers of clothing to trap body heat. To treat frostbitten skin, do not rub the area, since friction can cause further skin damage. Warm the affected parts of the body with warm water for 20 to 40 minutes. Wrap the frostbitten area in blankets. Hypothermia
Be aware that sweating may lead to extreme chill and potentially hypothermia. This can be fatal if not detected, and treated properly. It occurs when the body temperature drops to 95 degrees, or below. The most common victims of hypothermia are older individuals. Symptoms include shivering, drowsiness, slurred speech, hallucinations and slow and shallow breathing. Also, be aware of the added effect of wind chill. |
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