Are You Plowed?

City, Suburbs shoveling out of snow storm

The non-stop snow has dumped more than eight inches of snow at O'Hare International Airport and another two inches could fall on the city by the time this storm ends, city officials said.

The city's aviation department says about 100 flights in and out of O'Hare have been canceled Saturday, and delays are averaging 30 to 60 minutes or more. There are no delays and a few cancelations at Midway Airport.
  
In Waukegan, near the Wisconsin border, police have declared a snow emergency after a glut of car accidents.


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Shovels were out in force today as a storm dropped as much as eight inches of snow on the area.
 
According to the city Department of Streets and Sanitation, 8.2 inches had fallen at O'Hare and another one to two inches could fall before this system clears out of the area.

The city has had its full fleet of 274 snow-fighting trucks out on the streets since 9 p.m. Friday. Snow Command won't even think about the side streets until the main routes have been cleared, according to a release from Streets and San Saturday morning. As of about 7 a.m. Saturday Streets and San said it could be noon to 2 p.m. before the trucks switch to the side streets, but that could change depending on the incoming snow.

Snow Command first called up 184 trucks at 2:30 a.m. Friday and they patrolled the main route system until 2:30 p.m., when a lull in the storm system allowed the city to shift the 184 trucks to go and plow the side streets. The 184 trucks came off of the sides and returned to the main routes late Friday, and were joined by the remainder of the fleet to bring the total number of trucks on the main routes to 274.

A National Weather Service winter weather advisory remains in effect for northern Illinois and northwest Indiana until 6 p.m. Saturday.

Light to moderate snow  was expected to gradually taperoff by late afternoon, according to the weather service. A winter weather advisory for snow means that accumulating snow will cause primarily travel difficulties, according to the weather service. Drivers should expect snow-covered roads and limited visibilities, the weather service said. Motorists are urged to use caution while driving.

Passengers traveling through O'Hare or Midway should check their airline's Web site or contact by phone to check the status of their flight.

State police have been reporting many accidents throughout the area late Friday and early Saturday that can be attributable to the inclement weather, but there have not been any serious accidents on the roads.

Motorists are urged to use extreme caution when driving, slow down and allow plenty of time to make it safely to their destinations while yielding to emergency vehicles including highway maintenance vehicles displaying oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, the release said.

Copyright CHIST - SunTimes
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