Break in precipitation eases localized flooding, but winter delivers new challenges

[January 04, 2010]  You probably wouldn't find too many adults who would say they like central Illinois winters. Besides having to bundle up in heavy clothing, boots and gloves, and the lack of sunshine, winter often presents some extra challenges to traveling and sometimes just being comfortable indoors.

The bitter cold that has kicked off this year has been a snare for many who pledged to keep a good attitude. Some area residents are finding themselves making do by taking bed baths or "cat baths," using a wash pan and washrag, because pipes and drains have frozen. There are reports of being on the third page of local plumbers' waiting lists.

At Neal Tire, Rod Goodwin said that they have had a few dead batteries, but their biggest service call has been for tire repair. He said that improperly maintained tires suffer damage. People often don't realize that when it gets this cold, tires with insufficient air pressure can go nearly flat, and then when driven on, the tires get damaged.

While many area residents struggle with complications from the bitter cold, at least there has been some reprieve from other winter elements.

Terry Storer from Logan County Emergency Management Agency said that the new year came in quietly for their office. Prior to the first day of 2010, from Dec. 20 to the end of the month, Logan County was under a flood warning. The agency was keeping watch over numerous flooded areas; the dive team was kept on standby and the boat kept ready.

EMA director Dan Fulscher said that last year had the most use of the boat in one year. There were 12 calls, six rescues and one fatality.

A number of country roadways and the three primary streets -- Middle, Main and Front in Lawndale -- were under water. Some roads were flooded by field runoff, slow-to-drain ditches and other roads by one of the five creeks: Kickapoo, Salt, Sugar, Lake Fork and Deer. Communities throughout Logan County were affected, including Hartsburg, Emden, New Holland, Elkhart, Lake Fork, Mount Pulaski, Latham and Chestnut.

With the most treacherous part of the winter season upon us, we hope to help keep our readers informed and will post any breaking weather announcements.

You can also self-check current weather and state road conditions from links in the day and date box on the front page. We hope you will check these often and they will help keep you and your family safe.

See the National Weather Service hazardous weather statements for the area by clicking here.

[LDN]

Dec. 28 picture page:
Rain, snow, make hazardous weekend