Rain, ice, and snow in Southern Illinois

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (KBSI) – Rain, snow and ice in Southern Illinois have taken down trees and power lines — causing power outages for thousands of people.

Carbondale Warming Center assistant director Teneshkia Wright said they usually get some severe weather at least once a year.

“Normally it’s in February,” she said, “but it’s come early this year.”

At the Carbondale Warming Center they’re making extra space for those needing a place to get warm.

“Right now we have our overflow,” Wright said. “We’re going to open it for 24 hours right now during this week, since we have the extreme weather.”

Wright said they are accepting donations at the Carbondale Warming Center — things that can help them keep people warm and fed.

In Williamson County, yesterday’s rain and freezing temperatures lead to more than two hundred incidents of downed trees.

Sheriff Diedrich said the community pulled together to help.

“As we were responding to these roads that had blockages from trees down and power lines down, the community and passersby were stopping and trying to assist law enforcement and first responders,” he said. “In many of those cases, it helped speed that process up.”

Diederich said they are still clearing roadways and working with utility companies. He expects temperatures to continue dropping tonight.

“Be sure to check on your neighbors — check on the elderly,” he said,” especially if they don’t have power. It’s going to be too cold tonight for them to stay in place if they don’t have some source of heat.”

For severe cold weather safety tips, click here.