SPRINGFIELD – While the official start of winter is not for several weeks, the Mendota area and other parts of Illinois have already experienced the first accumulating snows of the season. Before the full furry of winter is upon us, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Illinois Department of Labor and the National Weather Service (NWS) are encouraging people to begin preparing for extreme cold, snow and ice.

“In Illinois, it’s not a question of if, but rather when will snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures occur,” said Acting IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “Being unprepared for winter weather is not only inconvenient, but it can be dangerous. That’s why we are encouraging all Illinoisans to take a few minutes to put together your home and vehicle emergency supply kits and review the steps you should take to stay safe during hazardous winter weather.”

Record-breaking weather

In terms of weather, 2019 has been a record-breaking year in Illinois. The new year brought a Polar Vortex that crippled most of the Midwest, including blanketing Illinois with life-threatening temperatures for several days. According to the NWS, the coldest temperature on record occurred this year (Jan. 31) when the mercury dropped to negative 38 degrees near Mt. Carroll in Carroll County. The previous record of negative 36 degrees was set in 1999.

From 2008-2018, there were 788 fatalities related to cold temperatures in Illinois, which is more than heat (227), tornadoes (23), floods (38) and severe storms/lightning (17) combined. In the United States, about 700 deaths occur each year from hypothermia. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk of hypothermia.

“There are several dangerous health conditions that can occur specifically in winter weather,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “It’s important to watch for signs of extreme cold. Hypothermia, when a person’s body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, can occur both outdoors and indoors and can be fatal. Frostbite occurs when your extremities (fingers, toes, nose, and ears) are exposed to cold weather. The skin may become stiff and numb leading to severe tissue damage. Also, watch for symptoms of chest pain when shoveling snow which can be associated with overexertion. Know the warning signs of dangerous cold weather health conditions in order to stay safe and healthy during the winter.”

Unfortunately, no matter how low the temperature dips, many Illinois workers will face the frigid elements to do their jobs. Cold weather is never pleasant, but by taking some precautions, workers can minimize the dangers.

“Freezing, snowy weather is a fact of life in Illinois during the winter, and some people feel they can tough it out,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Michael Kleinik. “But if you’re required to work outdoors, you’re tempting fate by not dressing properly on frigid days.”

Caution and self-awareness are the keys to cold weather safety. Workers should know the signs of hypothermia, not push their bodies to an extreme, layer clothing and make sure they have plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

“The signs of danger initially may be subtle but once they hit, they can hit like a snowplow,” said Mitch Rogers, administrator for Memorial Health System’s Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Services in Springfield.

Preventative maintenance is also a good idea. Rogers suggests people who must work outside regularly in the winter weather consider scheduling a physical exam before that winter work begins.

Preparedness guide

To help Illinois residents prepare for winter, IEMA and the NWS developed a winter weather preparedness guide that covers winter weather terms and tips for staying safe at home, in the car and at school. The guide is available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

“Preparing well in advance of winter weather is really the best way to cope when snow, ice and cold temperatures affect us,” said Chris Miller, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the NWS office in Lincoln. “Now is the time to prepare your vehicle and house for winter conditions. Make sure you have blankets, non-perishable food, boots, extra clothing and other items in your car in case you are stranded or waiting for a tow. At home, make sure you have enough essential items to ride out a storm, or if you are without power, for at least three days.”

For more information about winter weather preparedness, including the “Weathering Winter” guide from the Illinois Department of Public Health, visit the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

Winter travel

With motorists throughout the state preparing for holiday travel, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and the Illinois Tollway remind the driving public with “Winter Weather – Get it Together.”

“Illinois winters are unpredictable. Weather and road conditions need to be on the minds of all travelers these next few months,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Our snow-and-ice teams have prepared throughout the year to make this winter driving season as safe as possible. When you see them doing their jobs this winter, please give them room to operate. By planning ahead and practicing safe winter driving habits, you can do your part to help ensure the safety of everyone on the road.”

Throughout the coming months of cold weather and adverse conditions, motorists should practice basic winter driving skills and build extra time into their schedules. As part of the “Winter Weather – Get it Together” campaign, travelers are encouraged to follow these simple guidelines:

• Always wear a seat belt. It’s the law in Illinois.
  • Slow down. Slower speeds, slower acceleration, slower steering and slower braking all are required in winter conditions.
  • Drop it and drive. Put down the handheld devices – it, too, is the law in Illinois.
  • Don’t crowd the plow. A snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they may not see you. Any plow that’s hit must be pulled out of service, resulting in one less piece of equipment responding to snow and ice.
  • Avoid using cruise control when conditions are slick.
  • Watch out for black ice. A road surface may appear clear but can be treacherous.
  • Be especially careful approaching intersections, ramps, bridges and shady areas. All are prone to icing.
  • Do not travel during bad weather unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to make a trip, check the forecast and make sure someone is aware of your travel route. Acquaint yourself with local public transportation options.
  • Prepare an emergency kit that contains jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, a small ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable food and a first-aid kit.
  • Carry a cell phone and a car charger in case of emergency. For emergency assistance in the Chicago area, call *999.
  • Give them distance. Obey the Move Over Law by slowing down and changing lanes when approaching ANY stopped vehicle with flashing lights.
  • For a list of suggested maintenance for your car, visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s winter driving website, nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips.
  • Motorists can check statewide travel conditions by visiting gettingaroundillinois.com.

“Our top priority during winter storms is to quickly and safely clear our roads, and the Illinois Tollway’s roadway team has an outstanding track record,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We remind drivers to help keep everyone safe during winter weather by slowing down, increasing their distance from other vehicles, and giving our snowplows the room they need to do their work.”

For the upcoming winter, IDOT will have more than 1,800 trucks available for deployment to plow almost 16,000 miles of roads statewide, the equivalent of driving from Illinois to South America and back. Last year, IDOT spread more than 600,000 tons of salt statewide. This winter, salt domes throughout the state are close to capacity, with more than 570,000 tons on hand. 

The Illinois Tollway mobilizes its fleet of 196 snowplows during winter storms and has stockpiled 81,000 tons of salt to keep its 294-mile system of five roadways safe and clear for its 1.6 million daily drivers.

“As the winter weather approaches, the Illinois State Police would like to ask all drivers to keep their eyes on the road, drive at a speed safe for conditions and ‘Move Over-Slow Down’ for all vehicles with flashing lights,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly said. “Please help us keep all motorists, including emergency personnel, safe by making responsible driving choices during hazardous winter weather conditions.”