A woman and a child escaped uninjured after a car drove into a creek amid blizzard conditions causing school closures and many crashes in Lake and McHenry counties Monday.
The Harvard Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 9 p.m. Sunday to the area of Route 14 and Bunker Hill Road in unincorporated Woodstock for a report of a water rescue.
Harvard Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said firefighters arrived and found a sedan that had slid off the roadway.
The car went down a steep embankment and into a creek where it came to rest partially submerged in water.
Both occupants, a woman and a child, were able to extricate themselves from the vehicle before first responders arrived, Vucha said.
The two occupants were evaluated by paramedics at the scene but neither required transport to the hospital.
The incident happened amid a blizzard warning in effect for McHenry County, as well as DeKalb, Boone, Lee, Ogle and Winnebago counties. A winter weather advisory was also issued for other parts of the Chicagoland, including Lake County.
Road conditions were already becoming hazardous late Sunday evening and the Monday morning commute was impacted by the conditions, with police and fire departments across Lake and McHenry counties being kept busy responding to crashes, stalled vehicles and cars that drove off the road.
“With snow, ice, and strong winds expected to worsen overnight, drivers should use extra caution, slow down, and be especially mindful on rural and untreated roads,” Vucha said.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said falling and blowing snow with strong winds, gusting as high as 45 mph, were expected.
“This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay in your vehicle,” the blizzard warning said.
Whiteout conditions could make travel “treacherous and potentially life-threatening,” the NWS added. The advisory and warning are in effect until 1 p.m. Monday.
A slew of schools across McHenry County closed on Monday, including McHenry County College, McHenry District 15, Woodstock District 200, Crystal Lake District 155, Wonder Lake District 36, Cary District 26, Marengo District 154, Richmond-Burton District 157, Nippersink District 2, Huntley District 158, Fox River Grove District 3, Marengo-Union Elementary District 165, Alden-Hebron District 19, Allendale School LINC in Woodstock, Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock and Trinity Oaks Christian Academy in Cary. Algonquin-based District 300 was delayed two hours.
In Lake County, numerous school were also closed on Monday, including Round Lake District 116, Fox Lake-based Grant Community High School, Zion District 126, Grayslake District 46, Zion District 6, Wauconda District 118, New Tech High School in Zion, Precious Lambs Preschool in Grayslake, St. Francis De Sales School in Lake Zurich, St. John’s Lutheran School in Libertyville and St. Matthew Lutheran in Hawthorn Woods.
Some libraries and government buildings across the two counties also reported closures. Lake County Government buildings and McHenry County Government buildings, including the courthouses, remained open.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said around 6 a.m. Monday that road conditions were hazardous across the county and motorists were asked to travel only if necessary, allowing extra time and using caution on the roads.
The Algonquin Police Department asked motorists to use caution in the area of eastbound and westbound Algonquin Road near Harrison Street due to a stalled semi-truck, which was eventually cleared just after 8:30 a.m.
“Officers are working to get the vehicle cleared as safely and quickly as possible. With the morning rush hour and snowy conditions, expect delays and give yourself extra time. Please slow down, increase your following distance, and watch for emergency personnel in the area,” the department said.
The Lake County Division of Transportation said snow and high winds have led to snow-covered roads in the county.
“Snowfall is expected to slow down within a few hours. Blowing snow will continue to be an issue. Take it slow and give snow plow drivers plenty of room. Clean up operations will take place throughout the day,” the transportation division said.
Garbage and recycling providers also reported delaying pickups due to the weather.
The NWS said a period of below-zero wind chills will occur across the northern Illinois area during the overnight hours from Monday into Tuesday.