DuPage declares state of emergency

A state of emergency was declared in DuPage County Wednesday, but officials said all major roads are passable and crews are working around the clock to keep it that way.

More than 16 inches of snow was reported at DuPage Airport, county board Chairman Dan Cronin's office said.

All county offices other than the sheriff's department and emergency management remained closed, but will reopen Thursday.

Public works crews continued clearing 950 lane miles of DuPage highways and began salting Wednesday afternoon in preparation for a major freeze, Cronin said.

“The crews have been up all night but they've got a nice team mentality,” he said. “They're hardworking people and they're devoted.”

Cronin declared a state of emergency, which will provide the county with additional resources and funds to combat the blizzard.

Almost all roads throughout the county were cleared and passable by late Wednesday afternoon, according to the DuPage County sheriff's office.

Officials said about 10,000 homeowners lost power intermittently during the storm, but nearly all power was restored by late Wednesday afternoon. No weather-related deaths had been reported locally.

DuPage County opened one shelter, and 12 other shelters and warming centers opened in municipalities across the county.

“We are concerned about the extremely low temperatures and are keeping our DuPage County shelter open tonight in the event that there are power outages,” said David Gervino of the county's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

More than 30 county snowplows and two road graders continued to clear county highways.

“Our top priority remains the safety of our residents and clearing county roads as quickly and effectively as possible,” Cronin said. “By staying indoors and off the roads, DuPage residents will make this task much easier to accomplish.”

“Don't kid yourself that the worst of the storm is over. Exercise common sense and please don't travel unless it's a lifesaving matter,” he added.“Check on those who might need assistance to make sure they are safe, warm and remain indoors.”

As of Wednesday morning, fewer than 10 people had sought shelter at DuPage warming centers, Gervino said.

Gervino said residents are still advised to stay indoors.

“Traveling outside is extremely dangerous,” he said. “While some roads may look passable, the blowing snow caused by heavy winds can cause conditions to change quickly.”

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, nearly 550 motorists had requested assistance in DuPage County. That figure doesn't include Naperville, Downers Grove, Clarendon Hills, Darien and Woodridge, which dispatch police and fire services separately from the county.

Ten traffic accidents with injuries and 120 ambulance calls also had been reported through the county, which saw its calls for service double over 24 hours, Gervino said.

Power outages appeared worst in Downers Grove, which had 1,100 customers without electricity Thursday afternoon. Power also was out for 700 customers each in Warrenville and Milton Township, 620 in Glen Ellyn and about 190 in Addison, officials reported.

Officials encouraged DuPage residents seeking the latest county updates to visit www.protectdupage.org.

Ÿ Daily Herald staff writer Paul Biasco contributed to this report.