Work just beginning in Elgin
Just because the snow stopped falling doesn’t mean the work is over in Elgin.
Authorities said 275 vehicles were reported being stuck, which includes roughly 40 vehicles that fell into a shallow ditch on Route 72 and Route 47, city spokeswoman Sue Olafson said.
Police drove those who lived nearby home and took others to the police station where they made arrangements for pick-ups, Olafson said.
Everyone had made it home by the morning hours and there have been no major accidents or injuries reported thus far, Olafson said. Elgin worked all night to keep its main roads cleared Tuesday. The priority shifted Wednesday to residential streets, Mayor Ed Schock said.
“Overall, we’re very pleased with the plowing,” Schock said. “Everyone stepped up. “That’s what’s great about Elgin — everyone steps up in an emergency.”
Some streets remain closed until further notice.
They include Nesler Road, Lawrence Avenue west of Route 31, Shales Parkway and Chicago Street and Route 25. Steep Hills lie at the three latter intersections, which makes them dangerous for driving.
The storm’s severity forced the city to declare a state of emergency late Tuesday night, which gave City Manager Sean Stegall the authority to do whatever is necessary to respond to the storm.
That power includes closing streets, keeping residents informed and spending beyond the $20,000 alloted for the storm. It also qualifies Elgin for FEMA reimbursements to pay for overtime.
The emergency status, in effect until further notice, also instructs residents to keep their cars off the road as much as they can.
Stegall so far does not anticipate spending more than $20,000 on snow removal efforts.
Rather than sitting behind a desk directing people, Stegall went on the road Tuesday night to monitor the city with Councilman John Steffen, Councilman John Prigge and Police Lt. Glenn Theriault.
Stegall took to Facebook, Twitter and the city’s website to keep residents informed about the storm. Throughout the night, the city manager posted updates about snow removal efforts, accidents and the status of certain streets. Wednesday, he is scheduled to ride along with snow plowers and to continue blogging from the scene.
“I think the citizens and employees expect their city manager to be hands on,” Stegall said. “The last thing I should be doing is sitting on the sidelines.”
Normally, Elgin uses 22 snow plows but is now using 38 to keep the roads clear. Any city employee with a commercial driver’s license is pitching in to help plow, Stegall said.
Elgin police, meanwhile, are patrolling the city in 21 SUVs. The city rented six SUV’s from Enterprise, Bigger’s Chevrolet donated nine and police already had six in operation. All are equipped with four-wheel drive capabilities.