Live weather blog: Updates on the winter storm moving into Peoria ahead of the holidays

Press release:

The Peoria County Courthouse, Peoria City/County Health Department, Peoria County Election Commission, and the Highway Department office buildings are closing to the public at 3:00 p.m. today due to deteriorating weather conditions. The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office main lobby will close at 1:00 p.m. The Veteran’s Assistance Commission closed at noon.

This closure includes all court operations in the 10th Judicial Circuit in Peoria County. Individuals with court dates cancelled today will have rescheduled hearing dates sent through the United States Postal Service and email (if available). However, all litigants and attorneys are responsible for monitoring the rescheduling of their court dates. Peoria County court dates are accessible at the following website: https://judicial.peoriacounty.org/Portal.

This closure comes directly before -- and therefore leads into -- the upcoming holiday closures for these facilities from Friday, December 23 through Monday, December 26. Normal operations will start again Tuesday, December 27, conditions permitting.Along with being closed today through Monday, Peoria County Animal Protection Services (PCAPS) will also be closed throughout the weekend. The facility will not be holding adoptions, accepting fine payments, nor receiving stray and surrendered animals until Tuesday. Animal control officers can be reached at 309-674-3131 for animal-related emergencies only.

The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, Jail, and Juvenile Detention Center will remain staffed and functioning, but records and visitation will be closed until Tuesday. Inmates can still be visited remotely throughout the closure, and the bonding lobby will retain normal hours as well.

The city and county of Peoria have each issued traffic collision alerts.

In the city, people involved in vehicle crashes where no one is injured should report the incidents to the Peoria Police Department within 36 hours after the alert is lifted. In Peoria County, the incidents should be reported to the sheriff's office within 48 hours after the alert is ended.

The city of East Peoria is now under a traffic collision alert.

Anyone involved in a crash where no one is injured should exchange information with the other drivers involved and report the accident to the East Peoria Police Department within 36 hours after the alert is lifted.

The National Weather Service said a snow squall is moving between Davenport, IA and Peoria. That's a band of brief, heavier snowfall that could lay down a couple inches of additional snow pretty rapidly.

These tweets explain the phenomenon:

Due to the winter weather, all Secretary of State offices and Driver Services facilities throughout the state will be closed at 1 p.m. today, Thursday, Dec. 22. Offices reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 27.

Peoria Public Works snow crews began running 12-hour shifts at 7 a.m. Thursday as the first hints of snowfall began to move into the area.

A liquid brine solution was applied to emergency routes over the past two days. Crews are spreading rock salt and brine now to cut down on the snow sticking to the roadways. Public works deputy director Sie Maroon said crews will shift into plow mode when necessary.

Blowing and drifting snow is expected to be a major concern in open areas around the city as the weather picks up.

The East Peoria Public Works Department reminds residents to leave a small stream of water about the size of a pencil lead running during bitterly cold days and nights.

The stream can prevent pipe freezing, and a repair bill costing hundreds of dollars.

Wind chills are expected to dip to 35 degrees below zero by Friday.

Due to the forecasted severe winter weather, all Peoria Public Library locations will close at noon tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 22.
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f the weather allows, Peoria Public Library will be open on Friday, Dec. 23. Check their website and social media for updates.

Peoria Public Works is encouraging residents to stay home as the winter storm moves through our area.

Liquid pretreatment was applied to all emergency routes over the past two days. Road crews will remain on the streets during and after the storm.

Parking bans are automatically enforced on snow routes when two inches or more of snow is forecast. The bans remain in effect for 48 hours.

Property owners are responsible for removing snow on sidewalks outside businesses. Snow cannot be moved into the street or placed in front of mailboxes or fire hydrants.

From Bradley University:

Due to the dangerous conditions of extremely low temperatures combined with high winds and blowing snow, the Bradley University campus will be closed on Thursday, December 22. All campus facilities will be closed during this time. Essential personnel should check with their supervisor for specific instructions.

The campus closure will continue through the previously scheduled break, with plans to resume regular operations on Tuesday, January 3.

Faculty and staff who had planned paid time off for December 22 will be able to change their schedule in ADP and will not be charged a vacation day.

The Bradley Men’s Basketball game against the Akron Zips will continue as planned. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at the Civic Center.

The National Weather Service in Lincoln is placing our listening area under a Winter Storm Warning starting 6 a.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Saturday.

Hazards include slippery road conditions and widespread blowing snow reducing visibility during the morning and evening commutes. Wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour are expected. Isolated power outages and downed tree branches are possible.

Wind chills will drop to as low as 35 degrees below zero starting Thursday afternoon, which could lead to frostbite on exposed skin within 30 minutes.

The NWS says the avoid outside activities if possible. If you must travel, the NWS recommends keeping an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

GFL will not collect trash or recycling on Friday, December 23 due to the expected blizzard-like conditions, according to a Peoria Public Works press release. Pick-up will happen on Saturday, December 24. 

If your collection day is Friday, the city says to set your recycling and trash carts out by 6 a.m. on Saturday.

GFL will also not collect recycling or trash the day after Christmas, Monday, December 26. This schedule change will delay service by one day for the remainder of the week.