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A winter storm hit Orion Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 1 and 2. The 17-1/2-inch snow was accompanied by high winds, which created blizzard warnings from noon on Tuesday through noon on Wednesday, Feb. 2.
Orion schools had snow days from Tuesday through Thursday, the first snow days of 2010-11.
A fax from the Henry County Sheriff’s Department stated the Henry County Courthouse was closed at 1 p.m. Tuesday and did not reopen until Thursday, Feb. 3.
The Henry County Health Department was also closed Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday because of the storm.
At 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday Henry County Sheriff James Padilla strongly advised against traveling anywhere in Henry County because of heavy snow, strong winds and low visibility.
Tuesday evening, three Henry County snow plows went into the ditch on the Cambridge blacktop, and the county recalled all of its crews to Cambridge. The crews stayed in the county seat overnight so they could go out again in the morning.
Thirty to 40 cars were in the ditch on Illinois 81 over a 2-mile stretch from Andover to the I-74 interchange. Some were rescued with snowmobiles, some found refuge in nearby homes and some had to wait through the night before they were rescued.
On Wednesday, the sheriff’s office issued a statement saying all Henry County roads were still closed. Snow plows were unable to make it down most of the roads.
Capt. Jeff Happach of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office said that by Wednesday noon, most of the roads were open, at least for one lane of traffic, but in some areas the snow still had not been cleared.
Happach said even deputies were stranded when their vehicles were stuck along the county’s rural roads.
One deputy, he said, went to help drivers who were stranded between Andover and Interstate 74, and became stuck himself.
The deputy went from car to car making sure everyone was all right and asked a nearby resident to open up their home as a warming station for the people in the vehicles.
The deputy didn’t make it home until early Wednesday afternoon, Happach said.
“All of the people that were stranded have either been rescued or someone’s on their way to rescue them,” Happach said. “We did everything we could to get to these people.”
Even snowmobilers couldn’t make it through some of the roads, he said. Not because the vehicles couldn’t maneuver through the snow, but because visibility was reduced nearly to zero by the blowing snow.
A winter storm hit Orion Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 1 and 2. The 17-1/2-inch snow was accompanied by high winds, which created blizzard warnings from noon on Tuesday through noon on Wednesday, Feb. 2.
Orion schools had snow days from Tuesday through Thursday, the first snow days of 2010-11.
A fax from the Henry County Sheriff’s Department stated the Henry County Courthouse was closed at 1 p.m. Tuesday and did not reopen until Thursday, Feb. 3.
The Henry County Health Department was also closed Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday because of the storm.
At 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday Henry County Sheriff James Padilla strongly advised against traveling anywhere in Henry County because of heavy snow, strong winds and low visibility.
Tuesday evening, three Henry County snow plows went into the ditch on the Cambridge blacktop, and the county recalled all of its crews to Cambridge. The crews stayed in the county seat overnight so they could go out again in the morning.
Thirty to 40 cars were in the ditch on Illinois 81 over a 2-mile stretch from Andover to the I-74 interchange. Some were rescued with snowmobiles, some found refuge in nearby homes and some had to wait through the night before they were rescued.
On Wednesday, the sheriff’s office issued a statement saying all Henry County roads were still closed. Snow plows were unable to make it down most of the roads.
Capt. Jeff Happach of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office said that by Wednesday noon, most of the roads were open, at least for one lane of traffic, but in some areas the snow still had not been cleared.
Happach said even deputies were stranded when their vehicles were stuck along the county’s rural roads.
One deputy, he said, went to help drivers who were stranded between Andover and Interstate 74, and became stuck himself.
The deputy went from car to car making sure everyone was all right and asked a nearby resident to open up their home as a warming station for the people in the vehicles.
The deputy didn’t make it home until early Wednesday afternoon, Happach said.
“All of the people that were stranded have either been rescued or someone’s on their way to rescue them,” Happach said. “We did everything we could to get to these people.”
Even snowmobilers couldn’t make it through some of the roads, he said. Not because the vehicles couldn’t maneuver through the snow, but because visibility was reduced nearly to zero by the blowing snow.
At one point, Interstates 80 and 74 were closed in Henry County. But by midday Wednesday, Happach said, they had been plowed, although he said he didn’t know what kind of shape they were in.
On the county level, Steve Brandau, superintendent of the Henry County Highway Department said they had to pull trucks off roads around 6 p.m. Tuesday night.
“You just couldn’t see anything,” Brandau stated. “It was a safety issue for everyone concerned. All highway employees were also asked to spend the night in town so they could make it to work Wednesday morning.”
The trucks were back on the roads at 6 a.m. Wednesday and 90 percent of the roads were open to two lanes before they quit Wednesday night.
“The other 10 percent were opened up Thursday morning,” Brandau stated. “I am very proud of our employees and the wonderful job they did. It wasn’t easy.”
Brandau said employees faced a lot of five to six foot drifts and on some occasion eight foot or taller ones. An endloader was used to open some east-west roads because of the drift size.
“We want to thank everyone for their patience during the storm,” he said. “A lot of people stayed off the roads which in turn helped us get them cleaned off as soon as possible.”
Brandau said the county is still working on figuring up how much overtime was required, but it is significant.
“The emergency services are putting information together hoping Henry County qualifies for some federal assistance with the storm,” he said.
Brandau said the county is still working on the roads, widening them and clearing snow from intersections. He said most of the work will be completed by the end of the week.
Governor Pat Quinn activated more than 500 Illinois National Guard troops Tuesday to assist stranded motorists on several interstate highways.
The troops were stationed at rest areas along interstate highways and coordinated with Illinois State Police (ISP) to ensure the safety of travelers stranded along the roads.
"We must do everything we can to keep motorists safe during this massive winter storm,” said Quinn. “Illinois Department of Transportation crews are working non-stop to clear roadways, and the Illinois State Police will also be closely monitoring our highways."
Troops stationed along the highways will carry supplies such as water, snack bars and roadside safety tips to provide to stranded motorists. Guard members will also relay information regarding road conditions, vehicle accidents and stranded motorists to ISP officers working in the area.
"I'm proud that the Illinois National Guard is able to play our part in responding to this winter storm," said Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "Our soldiers and Airmen respond to the Governor's call to help in state emergencies just as we answer the President's call to serve overseas. It takes selfless citizens to serve in today's National Guard, whether in Illinois or across the world."
Three days after being activated to assist Illinois for a snow emergency, more than 500 Illinois National Guard soldiers and airmen concluded operations and returned to their families.
According to the National Weather Service, the recent snow storm ranks second in the top five. Jan. 12-14, 1979, still holds the record with 18.4 inches.
For a 24-hour period, the 16.7-inch snowfall at the Quad City Interntional Airport from Feb. 1 into Feb. 2 did set a record, the National Weather Service said. The old record from Jan. 3, 1971, was 16.4 inches.
Illinois travelers can check on highway conditions by calling 1-800-452-IDOT (4368) or visiting the IDOT's road conditions Web site at www.gettingaroundillinois.com and clicking on "Winter Road Conditions."
