Starting on Saturday morning, southern Illinois is expected to experience heavy snowfall and wind chills potentially up to ten degrees below zero. Eight to 13 inches of snow is expected, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky.

Jackson County is no stranger to snow, but this much paired with below zero wind chills might prove hazardous for those on the road, and citizens relying on power to keep them warm. 

“As we brace for freezing temperatures across the state and heavy snow in southern Illinois, I’ve directed the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to deploy resources to ensure local authorities have the support they need to keep roads clear and residents safe,” Gov. JB Pritzker wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday night. 

While the first impulse may be to buy all the milk off the shelves, there are many other things residents can do to remain prepared. 

A release by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the importance of individuals planning carefully for this weather.

It will be crucial that individuals and their families have enough nonperishable foods and water to get through the next few days, as there is a possibility of power outages and hazardous driving conditions, the release read. It will also be important to keep devices charged and gas tanks full going into the weekend.

“While the snow is an issue, temperatures are the most concerning,“ Mitch Burdick, Jackson County engineer, said. “If people were to get stranded on the road, vehicles could get cold quickly and lead to life-threatening situations.”

“We usually tell people to stay home, but this time we really mean it.” Burdick said. “Stay home, stay in with family and friends and give us a chance.

“The colder it gets outside, the harder the chemicals have to work and the longer they need to take effect. It isn’t going to be operating at the effectiveness the public is used to in such a short time frame,” Burdick said. 

If travel remains necessary, check the Illinois Department of Transportation website at https://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/winterconditions/ for specific information about snow and ice coverage on the road. 

An SIU alert sent out Friday morning warned students, faculty and staff that the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the region. 

“Any decision to close the campus will be communicated through text messages, mass emails, and area news outlets,” the email alert read. “In addition, the university’s home page, along with Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram pages will include information regarding administrative closures. 

“Decisions to close any or all parts of the university, cancel classes or issue a university weather advisory are made at the chancellor level and not the departmental level. Individual department heads are not granted authority to close departments.”

SIU Housing sent an email Friday evening announcing that Lentz Dining Hall and Trueblood Dining Hall would stay open despite the snow. 

“Weather conditions can affect staff being able to travel in and deliveries arriving on time, which may result in more limited menus,” the email read, “but meals will still be available.” 

According to the email, typical weekend hours of 11 am to 8 p.m. will be observed. However, Sunday may be limited to 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for brunch and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for dinner. 

Any changes will be announced on social media or communicated through signs on the doors of the dining halls.

As of Jan. 23, the city has not yet announced a plan to use the Civic Center as a secondary warming center. The primary warming center, due to lack of funding and ability to maintain the building, will only be able to house 25 people to its regular 80, according to The Southern Illinoisan.

Good Samaritan House is in need of sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and cots as well as winter clothes. Donations can be dropped off at 701 S. Marion St. by the SIU recreation center.

The release by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office concluded, “It is important for all of us to work together to keep all the residents of Jackson County safe during this event.” 

Staff Reporter Orion Wolf can be reached at [email protected] or orionwolf6 on Instagram

Advertisement