Major winter storm causes widespread power outages         

Weather and emergency officials advise staying home for remainder of the day

[DEC. 1, 2006]  Terry Storer from the Logan County Emergency Management Agency reported that downed tree limbs and scattered power outages have been the major problems so far from the winter storm. Ice-covered trees and high winds have caused numerous downed limbs. About 3,500 locations in Logan County are without power.

Most of the smaller communities, including Mount Pulaski, Latham and New Holland, have had or have partial power loss or the entire community without power. Lincoln has scattered outages.

The company that serves most of Logan County, Ameren, has been working on restoring power, but could give no estimate of times when service to any area could be restored. Where power is restored will also be scattered. Ameren has made repairs, but due to the number of limbs that are down, crews find that when they try to power up, there is still arcing and there is still more damage to repair. It could be 24 hours or more before power is fully restored, a representative said.

The Logan County Emergency Management Agency's advice for those without power is to bundle up in a few blankets and stay home, assistant director Terry Storer said. However, if someone is stranded and wants to be brought in for temporary shelter, they can call the office and the agency will arrange to come get them, he said. Their phone number is 217-732-9491.

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital has set up for sheltering, though no one has come in at this point, Storer said.

People are encouraged to call the office for any other emergency needs as well, Storer said.

Local fire departments are in operation, Storer said.

The National Weather Service is recommending that if you do not have to travel, do not travel at all. No new accumulations of snow, freezing rain or sleet are expected in our area. However, the variable amount of snow that fell over much of the state is now blowing and drifting. High winds are expected Friday afternoon, which will create dangerous situations. Travel will be difficult, if not impossible, with poor to no visibility.

The National Weather Service reports that a few counties in Illinois will remain under a winter storm warning for later Friday. So, before traveling you should check the weather conditions in the direction of your travel.

Current conditions on Interstate 55 vary from scattered slick spots at St. Louis to 100 percent snow- and ice-covered near Chicago.

You can also call the Illinois Department of Transportation for current highway conditions throughout the state. That number is 1-800-452-4368.

Sheriff Steve Nichols closed the Logan County Courthouse for the day.

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