Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Area braces for major snowstorm
By Ann Montgomery and Hillary Wundrow
Daily News staff writers
Area residents are bracing for another round of winter weather as a winter storm warning has been issued for much of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
Snow emergencies have been issued in both Beloit and South Beloit for when it starts snowing. Director of Public Works Dave Botts in Beloit says drivers must move their vehicles off streets between 6 o'clock tonight and 6 p.m. Saturday.
The National Weather Service issued the storm warning early this morning, and predicts six to eight inches of snow in Rock County, and up to 10 inches of snow in northern Illinois. The storm warning takes effect at 4 p.m. in northern Illinois, including Winnebago County, Boone and Stephenson, and 6 p.m. in southern Wisconsin, including Rock, Green and Dane counties.
Locally, snow is expected to begin mid-afternoon. Heaviest snowfall is predicted between 6 p.m. and midnight, but precipitation will continue through the night and into Saturday. The National Weather Service indicates winds are expected to kick up Saturday, with gusts of 25 mph forecasted. The wind will create blowing and drifting snow, and make travel hazardous.
Beloit started bracing for the snowstorm Friday morning, according to
Chris Walsh, director of operations for the Beloit public works department.
"We are doing some pre-salting. We started at about 7 a.m. doing mains, hills, bridges and inclines," Walsh said. "We are fine. We are ready. It's a normal snow for us."
Beloit is one of the only communities with Geomelt, a liquid chemical laid down prior to salt, Walsh said.
"If we lay this pre-wetting material anywhere up to four days before we get snow, it helps so the snow and ice doesn't bond to the pavement," Walsh said. "Use of the material also cuts down on our time and our use of actual salt."
Beloit also has a storage shed with 5,000 tons of salt to tackle the snow and ice.
Walsh said a snow emergency will be in effect Saturday, meaning residents will have to park off of the street.
South Beloit will issue a snow emergency as soon as more than two inches of snow falls.
South Beloit Mayor Randy Kirichkow predicts the emergency will begin Friday night and remain in effect Saturday.
Although the city was lenient on the first snowfall, Kirichkow said any vehicles left on the street will be towed.
"It's very difficult for the snowplow to go around vehicles parked and come back. To do it again later is an added burden," Kirichkow said.
The trucks in South Beloit will be dispatched as soon as the flakes fall, Kirichkow said.
"I take great pride in our snow removal. I think we have the best snow removal in the area," Kirichkow said.
In addition to watching for winter weather, residents living along the Rock River in northern Illinois are warned about high river levels. The water level peaked earlier this week at 6.58 feet in Rockton, but is beginning to recede. The river in Rockton measured 6.18 feet this morning. Flood stage is 10 feet. Residents are reminded the water level could change quickly if ice jams occur.
The forecast for the weekend includes a high temperature for today of 24 degrees, and a low of 18 degrees. The high temperature for Saturday is 22 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The low for Saturday is expected to be 4 degrees. Sunday's temperatures include a high of 23 degrees, and a low of 18. Light snow is expected Sunday night.
Snow emergencies have been issued in both Beloit and South Beloit for when it starts snowing. Director of Public Works Dave Botts in Beloit says drivers must move their vehicles off streets between 6 o'clock tonight and 6 p.m. Saturday.
The National Weather Service issued the storm warning early this morning, and predicts six to eight inches of snow in Rock County, and up to 10 inches of snow in northern Illinois. The storm warning takes effect at 4 p.m. in northern Illinois, including Winnebago County, Boone and Stephenson, and 6 p.m. in southern Wisconsin, including Rock, Green and Dane counties.
Locally, snow is expected to begin mid-afternoon. Heaviest snowfall is predicted between 6 p.m. and midnight, but precipitation will continue through the night and into Saturday. The National Weather Service indicates winds are expected to kick up Saturday, with gusts of 25 mph forecasted. The wind will create blowing and drifting snow, and make travel hazardous.
Beloit started bracing for the snowstorm Friday morning, according to
Chris Walsh, director of operations for the Beloit public works department.
"We are doing some pre-salting. We started at about 7 a.m. doing mains, hills, bridges and inclines," Walsh said. "We are fine. We are ready. It's a normal snow for us."
Beloit is one of the only communities with Geomelt, a liquid chemical laid down prior to salt, Walsh said.
"If we lay this pre-wetting material anywhere up to four days before we get snow, it helps so the snow and ice doesn't bond to the pavement," Walsh said. "Use of the material also cuts down on our time and our use of actual salt."
Beloit also has a storage shed with 5,000 tons of salt to tackle the snow and ice.
Walsh said a snow emergency will be in effect Saturday, meaning residents will have to park off of the street.
South Beloit will issue a snow emergency as soon as more than two inches of snow falls.
South Beloit Mayor Randy Kirichkow predicts the emergency will begin Friday night and remain in effect Saturday.
Although the city was lenient on the first snowfall, Kirichkow said any vehicles left on the street will be towed.
"It's very difficult for the snowplow to go around vehicles parked and come back. To do it again later is an added burden," Kirichkow said.
The trucks in South Beloit will be dispatched as soon as the flakes fall, Kirichkow said.
"I take great pride in our snow removal. I think we have the best snow removal in the area," Kirichkow said.
In addition to watching for winter weather, residents living along the Rock River in northern Illinois are warned about high river levels. The water level peaked earlier this week at 6.58 feet in Rockton, but is beginning to recede. The river in Rockton measured 6.18 feet this morning. Flood stage is 10 feet. Residents are reminded the water level could change quickly if ice jams occur.
The forecast for the weekend includes a high temperature for today of 24 degrees, and a low of 18 degrees. The high temperature for Saturday is 22 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The low for Saturday is expected to be 4 degrees. Sunday's temperatures include a high of 23 degrees, and a low of 18. Light snow is expected Sunday night.
 |
 |
|
| Planned Parenthood offers sex-ed services to schools | Chamber celebrates 10 years |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of beloitdailynews.com.
Submit a Comment
Login below to post your comment. |
Not yet a member? Use the form below to register. |
