We're better prepared for a blizzard

So much has improved since Kenneth Miller's baptism by fire during the blizzard of 1979.

As the newest hire of the Mundelein Publics Works Department that year, Miller recalls the chaos of clearing roads in manual transmission trucks that lacked power steering and front wheel drive.

And he remembers how tough it was to move 19 inches of snow 32 years ago with plows that had no angling mechanism, only pushing snow to the right.

“Things are so much more professional now,” Miller said.

Today the suburbs are bracing for another historic storm that meteorologists say will dump about 20 inches of snow on the Chicago area starting this afternoon.

Luckily for residents, both meteorologists and public works crews of the new millennium are much more prepared for weather disasters. And they all thank advances in technology, beefed-up crews and better training.

Storms now are predicted sooner and more accurately due to computers that boast state-of-the-art observation systems and crunch massive amounts of data.

Richard Castro, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Chicago region, said signs of today's storm showed up as early as a week ago at the agency's Romeoville office.

“The question was: What was the track of the storm going to be?” Castro said. ‘That wavered and if the storm path were more south and east of here, it would not produce as much snow. But two days ago, that's when the computer guidance came into line.”

Such early warnings help people like Miller make split decisions, like whether to send drivers home to rest for long shifts ahead.

But preparations for major storms are actually years in the making, said Elmhurst City Manager Thomas Borchert. A 40-year city employee, Borchert has seen snow removal evolve since just after the blizzards of 1967 and 1970, which left 23 and 14 inches of snow on the area, respectively.

“In the 1970s, the Elmhurst community did not demand that side streets get salted. It was acceptable,” Borchert said. “Their thought was to save the money, plant trees in the spring and invest in infrastructure.

“I think most communities have changed. They want the comfort, safety and the ability to go the speed limit (in winter),” he added. “So I think things have improved as communities gave the professionals the tools, material and training they need.”

Those tools include plows with, yes, 4-wheel drive and angling capabilities. But they also have heated mirrors, computer systems that distribute salt efficiently, and mixes of liquid calcium chloride and rock salt, which better melt snow and ice.

Drivers also must carry commercial licenses.

Manpower shot up during the past few decades. In Mundelein, for instance, crews grew from 17 drivers to 51, then back down to 43 during recent budget cuts common throughout the suburbs.

Those budget cuts are a concern for many suburbs. Roselle plows about 100 thoroughfares utilizing 20 drivers from all areas of public works — not just the street division.

And, to make sure their drivers are prepared for the worst, Roselle holds a “Snow Roadeo” in late fall. The event includes a written test, vehicle check test, and requires all drivers to complete an obstacle course with their plows that simulates tough winter conditions.

No matter how much workers prepare, however, sometimes conditions make it temporarily impossible to clear the roads, Miller said. During the blizzard of 1999 that brought more than 21 inches of snow, Miller said crews had to give up for four hours due to limited visibility.

Similar problems are predicted today. The weather service said the heavy snowfall combined with high winds could create whiteout conditions, particularly tonight into Wednesday, making driving extremely dangerous in some areas. Snow drifts of 5 feet to 10 feet are possible.

Winds could reach up to 60 mph in open areas and near Lake Michigan.

“Mother nature is going to beat up on us and beat up on us bad,” Miller said. “We just ask everyone to be patient because you don't want to be unsafe. If drivers can't see the flashing lights of their partner's truck ahead, they sure won't see a pedestrian.”