Emergency officials: Lakes, rivers aren't frozen so stay off the ice

Fire departments surrounding the Chain O' Lakes are warning snowmobile drivers against riding on the Chain in anticipation of the heavy snow expected Thursday night and again this weekend.

Chris Lienhardt, spokesman for the Antioch Fire Department, said people should take care when riding a snowmobile on the lakes, specifically in spots where heavy current doesn't freeze and the snowfall creates an illusion of a frozen lake.

"With this series of snow storms cruising in, I cannot stress enough that people need to use extreme caution when heading out," he said. "This snowstorm will create just enough ice to make it seem like the lakes are frozen, but they aren't. Most spots on the Chain are not frozen enough to hold a snowmobile yet."

Meteorologist estimate 8 to 11 inches of snow will fall Thursday night in northern Lake County, while a second snowstorm is expected to hit the area overnight Saturday. It's unclear how many inches of snow are expected by the time the snow stops Sunday morning.

Lienhardt's warning comes after a snowmobiler was rescued after falling into the icy waters of Lake Marie in Antioch Wednesday night.

Antioch and Fox Lake fire departments responded to the call of the unnamed rider who went through the ice at about 6:30 p.m.

Lienhardt said the younger man was found conscious but stuck chest-deep in the frigid water.

"He was lucky because he went in at a shallow area and was able to get his footing while waiting to be pulled out," he said. "That doesn't always happen."

Lienhardt said rescuers donned exposure suits and worked to free the man from the water. He was brought to shore and quickly airlifted by helicopter to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.

The man was in critical condition when airlifted, Lienhardt said, but his condition is unknown Thursday morning.

"If people insist on going out, they need to exercise good judgment," he said. "Always tell others where they are going and check in when arriving. Also, stay off the roadways. Also, do not ride on the lakes where there is always heavy currents, like under bridges or in the middle of the lake. Those areas will never freeze enough to support a snowmobile."