Live updates: Look for ‘treacherous commute’ in Belleville, southwest Illinois
After a round of freezing rain, sleet and snow on Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service on Wednesday night predicted the second wave of the storm will just include snow on Thursday in the metro-east.
Here’s a running list of traffic updates, closures and forecasts:
MetroLink announces changes
10:45 p.m. MetroLink riders will see temporary changes Thursday morning.
“MetroLink service will be provided with single light rail cars,” Metro said in a news release. “A MetroLink train is normally two cars coupled. MetroLink riders should be prepared to board and exit the light rail car through the center doors only. To accommodate this change, MetroLink operators will allow extra time for passengers to enter and exit the single light rail cars.”
MetroLink riders should expect 15 to 30 minute delays until 6 a.m. Thursday and after that, 5 minute delays through the end of the morning rush hour.
Snow could fall an inch per hour
10 p.m. Mark Britt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis, said the morning commute could be “very treacherous” on Thursday because the heaviest snowfall is expected to occur in the metro-east from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thursday.
During this time, the snowfall could reach an inch per hour, he said. The snow is expected to taper off in the afternoon with a total of new snow ranging from 6 to 9 inches in Belleville.
If you have to drive in the morning, he recommends you give yourself plenty of time to make it to your destination.
The winter storm warning is scheduled to end at noon Thursday.
Three troopers struck while working on icy highways
8:30 p.m. Three Illinois State Police troopers were struck while working on icy highways during a winter storm on Wednesday, the agency said.
One trooper who had non-life-threatening injuries was being treated in a hospital, one was treated and then released from a hospital and the third did not need treatment, according to a news release.
A citation has been filed against a driver in one of the cases and an investigation is underway in the other two cases for possible violations of the state’s “move over” for first-responders law.
Go to bnd.com to see an article with more details on these collisions.
Snow remains in the forecast
4 p.m. The National Weather Service on Wednesday said snow remains in the forecast and is expected to begin falling between 9 p.m. and midnight Wednesday and continue until Thursday.
Most of the metro-east is predicted to get 5 to 7 inches of snow but some areas could get up to 9 inches.
Evening commuters can expect delays on MetroLink
3:45 p.m. Ice on the MetroLink overhead lines continues to cause delays on the light-rail system.
“MetroLink trains are not operating between Lambert Airport and UMSL South MetroLink Stations in Missouri, and trains are not operating between the Emerson Park and Shiloh-Scott MetroLink Stations in Illinois due to ice accumulation on the overhead lines that power the trains,” the agency said in a news release.
“Shuttles continue to transport passengers by bus between these stations:
Missouri: Lambert Airport Terminal #1, Lambert Airport Terminal #2, North Hanley, UMSL-North, UMSL-South
Illinois: Emerson Park, JJK Center, Washington Park, Fairview Heights, Memorial Hospital, Swansea, Belleville, College, Shiloh-Scott.”
Ameren reports power outages
3:36 p.m. Ameren Illinois’ outage map shows 208 customers in St. Clair County did not have power as of 3:36 p.m. Wednesday.
The outages primarily are south and southeast of Belleville. Across the state, the utility had over 4,000 customers who had lost power as of Wednesday afternoon.
For more information, go to ameren.com and click on “outage center.”
The company activated its Emergency Operations Center on Tuesday morning to prepare for the winter storm.
School closures continue
3:26 p.m. The BND has posted a list of area schools that have already adjusted schedules for Thursday and Friday due to the winter storm. Check back at bnd.com for updates on the list.
State troopers respond to dozens of crashes
2:49 p.m. The Illinois State Police said troopers responded to 37 crashes and 59 motorist assist calls in the metro-east between midnight and 2 p.m. Wednesday.
The number of injuries was not immediately available.
“While we are not able to specify the cause for each crash, we do tend to see an increase in crashes during snowfall events for various reasons,” the agency said in a statement.
“If you don’t HAVE to be out in this weather, stay at home. This will free up state resources to handle emergency calls.
For more information on road conditions, go to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s website www.gettingaroundillinois.com or call 1-800-452-IDOT (4368).
Schnucks stores to close early, open late
2:30 p.m. Schnucks announced that all St. Louis area grocery stores will close at 6 p.m. Wednesday and will reopen at 10 a.m. Thursday because of the winter storm.
“We will continue to evaluate conditions and make any further updates to our operating hours as needed,” the company said in a statement.
For more information, go to schnucks.com/storeupdates.
Weather Service urges you to stay off the roads
2 p.m. The National Weather Service in St. Louis asked people to not drive on Wednesday afternoon even though you may see a lull in the precipitation. “Remember: This is NOT the end of the event,” the agency tweeted at 2 p.m.
Some medical clinics are closing early
12 p.m. All HSHS Medical Group clinics closed at noon due to weather. Patients with appointments were contacted to either reschedule or transition to a virtual visit.
The goal is to open clinics back up on Thursday, but some locations may have a late start.
HSHS operates at 139 locations in central and southern Illinois.
MetroLink resumes some service
11:07 a.m. MetroLink resumed service to the Emerson Park Station in East St. Louis, but many stations still aren’t operating due to ice.
The train is not operating between Emerson Park and Shiloh-Scott stations in Illinois or between Lambert Airport and UMSL South stations in Missouri.
Bus shuttles are transporting passengers between those stations. Riders should expect significant delays.
National Weather Service reports no major changes to the forecast
10:30 a.m. Meteorologist Melissa Byrd with the National Weather Service in St. Louis said there was an ongoing light snow across the St. Louis and metro-east region, with sleet east of Belleville near Salem and Fayette County.
“There’s going to be a little bit of a lull in the activity from early afternoon until early this evening,” Byrd said.
Snow will start back up between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. and continue overnight, tapering off around mid-day Thursday. Byrd said to expect between 7 and 11 inches of additional snow.
Here are the precipitation reports from around the metro area:
- O’Fallon, IL reported half an inch of sleet
- Godfrey, IL reported 1.8 inches of snow
- Carlinville , IL reported 2 inches of snow
- Bridgeton, MO reported 2 inches of snow
- St. Louis reported 1 inch of sleet
Courthouse closures
8:16 a.m. St. Clair, Madison and Bond County courthouses are closed.
St. Louis-area traffic update
7:50 a.m. An accident on I-64 Westbound between Exit 12 IL-159 Illinois St and Exit 9 IL-157 near Fairview Heights has closed a lane, according to KSDK 5.
Traffic has slowed around much of the St. Louis-metro area in nearly all directions, including I-64, I-44, I-70 and I-270.
Road conditions have continued to deteriorate, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Major roadways in St. Clair, Madison, Bond, Clinton, Monroe, Randolph, and Washington counties are partly covered with ice. Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery counties are dealing with more complete snow and ice coverage.
On the bridges, Poplar Street is slow in both directions, but moving on the MLK and Eads Bridges. The Stan Musial-Veterans Bridge is slow from the west-bound approach and is tied up downtown as it turns toward I-70.
Flight cancellations
7:40 a.m. St. Louis Lambert International Airport is reporting around 100 flight cancellations on Wednesday.
St. Clair County buildings closed
6:53 a.m. St. Clair County buildings are closed Wednesday due to weather, the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency Assistant Director Bryan Whitaker announced.
MetroLink commuters can expect delays
6:50 a.m. Illinois MetroLink stations between 5th & Missouri in East St. Louis and Shiloh-Scott station in Shiloh are not operating due to ice accumulation on the overhead lines that power the trains, MetroLink said in an email.
On the Missouri side, stations between Lambert Park and UMSL South MetroLink Stations are not operating.
Station shuttle buses are transporting passengers between the affected areas. MetroLink said passengers moving through those areas should expect significant delays of up to an hour.
Illinois road conditions
6:34 p.m. Major roadways in the metro-east are starting to be covered with ice, according to information from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
I-255 between Columbia and Poag is mostly covered with ice, and many other metro-east roadways west of Highland are partly covered with ice. The further north, the worst road conditions are, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation map.
Madison County has several major roadways reported to be covered by ice and snow north and east of Edwardsville and north and west of Alton. Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery counties are also seeing roads covered with ice and snow.
MetroLink
5:20 a.m. MetroLink is not operating between Emerson Park and Shiloh-Scott MetroLink Stations in Illinois or Lambert Park and UMSL South MetroLink Stations in Missouri due to ice accumulation on the overhead lines that power the trains, MetroLink announced early Wednesday morning.
Passengers traveling through the affected areas — which included all Illinois-side stations besides East Riverfront Station and 5th & Missouri Station, both in East St. Louis — can expect delays of up to an hour. All other riders may experience 15-20 minute delays.
Warming shelters
6:11 P.M. Unhoused people who need a place to get out of the winter storm predicted to strike the metro-east overnight can go to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s “drop-in center” in East St. Louis at 7 p.m. every day.
The drop-in center is next to St. Vincent de Paul’s outreach ministry center at 3718 State St. The drop-in center operates from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. During the day, those who need cover and warmth can go to the outreach center.
The Salvation Army at 20 Glory Place off West Main Street in Belleville and at 616 N 16th St. in East St. Louis offers places you can warm up during the day. Call 618-235-7378 for more information about hours.
Schools closings
6:07 P.M. Some metro-east school districts are taking a snow day, while others are holding classes remotely as they have off and on during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Check bnd.com to see which option your school chose and for future school closings.
Pritzker declares disaster
5:17 P.M. With a massive winter storm expected to blanket the entire state in ice and snow, Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday issued a disaster declaration and activated members of the Illinois National Guard.
The governor said his disaster declaration applies to the entire state and was issued to ensure all resources are available for snow removal and search and rescue missions for stranded motorists.
Pritzker activated 130 members of the National Guard who will be assigned as “winter weather platoons” consisting of approximately 18 soldiers equipped with high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles, or Humvees, and one Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck Wrecker. They will assist the Illinois State Police to provide support to stranded motorists.
This story was originally published February 2, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
