Local News

Snow day: Looming winter storm closes schools, libraries

Light snow began falling in the Homewood-Flossmoor area shortly before 6 p.m., but it is not expected to remain light for long. 

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning that is in effect from Thursday evening through 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9.

Forecasters predict heavy snow overnight and during the day Friday, with accumulations between 8 and 14 inches possible.

Flossmoor School District 161, Homewood School District 153 and Homewood-Flossmoor District 233 announced Thursday that classes and all before and afternoon school activities have been canceled for Friday. Prairie State College has cancelled classes.

The Homewood and Flossmoor public libraries will be closed Friday.

The villages of Homewood and Flossmoor sent email alerts to residents Thursday afternoon with advice about how to deal with the storm.

Both villages ban on-street parking when 2 or more inches of snow is expected, so the ban is in effect to allow public works crews to plow more effectively.

Homewood officials reminded residents:

  • Once the snowfall has subsided and the streets have been plowed curb to curb, cars may park on the streets.
  • Vehicle owners in violation of this ordinance can be ticketed and cars may be towed if the owner cannot be located.
  • During a snowfall, all streets receive two passes down the center. After all streets are passable, the plows return to clean the streets curb to curb.
  • Top priority streets for plowing include Governors Highway, Dixie Highway, Kedzie Avenue, Harwood Avenue, Ridge Road, Riegel Road, Holbrook Road, 175th Street, 183rd Street and 187th Street.
  • Secondary priority streets include those which have less traffic than the mains and consists of mostly residential areas and some commercial areas followed by cul-de-sacs, alleys and dead ends.
  • Do not shovel or blow snow into the street.
  • Clear snow from around fire hydrants in your parkway, to ensure everyone’s safety.  
Flossmoor officials urged residents to be patient during the storm event because continuous snowfall is a challenge to plow. 

Flossmoor’s plowing priorities are similar to Homewood’s. In order of priority, streets are cleared in the central business district, principal arterial streets, collector streets and parking lots, local through streets and finally cul-de-sacs and alleys.

Flossmoor’s notice to residents offers suggestions, too, including:

  • If possible, shovel driveway aprons only after roadways are completely cleared to eliminate the need to shovel more than once.
  • Pile all snow away from the edge of the road on the left side of the driveway as you face the house. Should the snowplow make an additional pass after you have shoveled, it will not push the same snow back into your driveway.
  • Do not push snow into or across the street. This not only creates an additional hazard, but also may result in the same snow being deposited in your neighbor’s driveway should the snowplow make an additional pass.
  • In order to make pedestrian travel safer and easier for everyone, clear snow and ice from the walks adjacent to your property.
Flossmoor forwarded a notice from Pace bus service urging fixed route and paratransit service passengers to postpone or cancel non-essential trips from Feb. 8 through Feb. 11.

“For riders who must travel, please dress warmly and be prepared for possible service delays. PaceBus.com will have the latest service updates,” the notice stated.

Other cancellations Friday include:

  • Bright Start Child Care & Preschool
  • Infant Jesus of Prague School
  • Homewood-Flossmoor Park District’s Sweetheart Dance, which has been rescheduled for Feb. 9. 

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