Monthly Archives: February 2011

Peoria Public Schools

D150 closes for third day in a row

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District 150 announced this afternoon that “Due to weather and road conditions, Peoria Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, February 3, 2011.”

I have to admit, I’m really surprised by this announcement, which I received via e-mail this afternoon from the District. Given that it hasn’t snowed any more since early this morning, and the City crews have been working around the clock, I really expected things to be clear enough by tomorrow that the buses could get through and school would be back in session. But I’m not complaining, either. It won’t hurt to give the City another day to get things cleaned up before the kids go back.

City of Peoria, Weather

Snowstorm updates from City of Peoria 2/2/2011

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City update 6:44 a.m., 2/2/2011:

A blizzard warning is in effect.

Contract and city crews continued to plow streets overnight, with the intent of maintaining one lane of traffic.

Our area has received a large amount of snow during the night with significant drifting from high winds. We urge you not to travel. It is very unlikely that anyone will reach their destination if an attempt to travel is made. If you do go out, please use caution and call ahead to make sure that the place you are attempting to reach is open.

Abandoned vehicles that are stuck in the street will compromise the City’s attempt to plow the streets. Police have begun to tow cars off of streets that still remain on designated snow routes.

If you have issues related to your street, the public works call center can be reached by calling 494-8850.

The Parking Ban is still in effect.

City update 7:31 a.m., 2/2/2011:

Our Emergency Communications Center has remained busy throughout the storm with calls from stuck motorists who are trapped in their vehicles. They utilized all means to get to them; Police, Fire, County Highway, IDOT, Public Works; even the Army National Guard. In many instances, the responders themselves got stuck trying to help the citizens.

Our 9-1-1 count for yesterday was 366. Our non-emergency phone calls totaled over 750 calls. A quick count shows our incoming calls were well over 1,100.

The ECC was struck by lightning at 8:45 p.m. last night. This caused our main police radios and several phone consoles, along with some other equipment to go down. Vendors were called in and worked until 3:00 a.m. to restore full service. No calls or service was lost as we used our back up systems.

General News

Odds and ends

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In front of a crowd of 1,000, the Bradley Braves finally won their first conference game of the season against Creighton, 69-61. Now Bradley’s record is 1-11. I guess that’s the secret to helping Bradley win: don’t watch.

Lots of closings. I got an e-mail from the City announcing that the Shoppes at Grand Prairie, Northwoods Mall, and Junction City have all closed early today, and will be closed all or most of the day tomorrow, too.

Meanwhile, my parents wrote me today from Florida. It’s 79 and sunny there. I’m not sure how to feel about that.

Update on City crews clearing the streets:

City crews, along with snow removal contractors, are plowing primary and residential streets. Crews will attempt to maintain one driving lane on most primary streets and one lane down the center of residential streets wide enough for emergency equipment.

This afternoon and over night, snow fall rates could possibly increase to 3-5 inches an hour, causing snow to accumulate very quickly. Maintaining one lane of travel is intended for essential emergency travel only during this period.

Citizens are advised not to travel. Blizzard conditions will continue for several hours, and it is unlikely that most vehicles will be able to travel on hills or inclines.

If possible move cars from residential streets. A Parking Ban is in effect until further notice. Citizens will help snow removal efforts by not plowing or shoveling snow into the street.