Blizzard update: emergency response

[February 07, 2011]  At this time last week forecasters were warning that a dangerous storm named "The Beast" was taking aim on the Midwest. Central Illinois was definitely in its path. There seemed no chance of this one missing our area. It was only a question of when it would start. How bad it would be depended primarily on what type and quantity of precipitation it would deliver when it did reach us.

The National Weather Service's early warnings allowed ample time for preparations to be put in place.

As the storm closed in on Tuesday morning, Logan County's community leaders, department chiefs, agency directors and key personnel from fire, law enforcement, paramedics, county highway, city streets, hospital, health department, schools, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, chamber of commerce, disaster intelligence, radio communications and others packed the Emergency Operating Center to create an action plan for the impending blizzard.

Using a large screen with live animated radar images, Emergency Management Agency deputy director Terry Storer reviewed the storm's progress and its potential to dump 16-20 inches of snow on our area, with high winds and subzero wind chills expected to follow.

EMA director Dan Fulscher presented best and worst-case scenarios that included impassable roads during whiteout conditions and potential long-lasting, widespread power outages.

Fulscher then facilitated discussion among those present, postulating what could be done to conduct typical emergency operations that would be complicated by extreme weather conditions -- such as if there were a house fire, how to reach stranded motorists, or response to medical needs and other emergencies.

Representatives of each entity presented their response plan. Interactive discussions took place that would help support or enhance the activities of each department or agency.

An hour and a half later the meeting broke with a customized overall response plan to protect citizens during the impending potential disaster.

Below is a sketch of the emergency response actions that took place before, during and after the blizzard. Recovery is ongoing.

The following information was supplied by the Logan County Emergency Management Agency.

Feb. 4 update:

• In anticipation of the blizzard, there was a briefing at 9 a.m. Feb. 1 with local agencies that make up the Logan County emergency team.

• Emergency Operations Center opened at approximately noon on Feb. 1.

• Warming and long-term shelters were designated. Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital was designated the primary shelter, with Zion Lutheran School as the primary overnight shelter.

• Notifications were sent to local media regarding impending blizzard and continued throughout the storm.

• Logan Dispatch dispatched 228 calls between 5 p.m. Feb. 1 and 5 a.m. Feb. 3. Of those calls, 52 were assisting motorists, 18 were for disabled vehicles, 28 medical calls, one missing person (later located), seven reckless drivers and various other calls.

• The volunteer snowmobile team was activated at approximately 5 p.m. Feb. 1. They responded to 25 stranded motorists. The snowmobile teams were located in different areas of the county for quicker response.

• Together, Salvation Army and American Red Cross coordinated a plan for emergency sheltering and eventual opening of the overnight shelter at Zion Lutheran School.

• Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital provided a warming center for individuals in need during the event. Approximately 11 individuals used this service.

• In the evening of Feb. 1, all county roads and state highways were closed and limited to emergency traffic only. The interstates were officially closed around 3 a.m. Wednesday.

• Early Feb. 2, Tim Gottschalk responded to a special stranded motorist call with his Sno-Cat vehicle and helped motorists reach the shelter in McLean.

• Logan County EOC coordinated with the state Emergency Operations Center to assist in the response of Illinois National Guard units to Route 136 for stranded motorists.

• The Logan County EMA communications support team assisted with the overflow of calls for request for aid.

• Logan County businesses and individuals donated food, water, blankets and other necessities to the shelters and emergency responders.

• Calls continue to come in to Logan Dispatch, but the EOC officially was shut down at 7 p.m. Feb. 2. Help continues throughout the county.

[LDN and Logan County Emergency Management Agency]