DeKalb County residents wake up to snowfall

DEKALB – Constant flurries have pushed DeKalb County residents to do the dirty work of shoveling and plowing.

Judy Krajewski, 68, said Monday that the snow she was clearing from her driveway in the 900 block of North Ninth Street has its health benefits.

“Maybe I’ll show this to my doctor to show I do get exercise,” Krajewski said as she laughed and heaved another pile of the white stuff off her driveway.

Area residents woke up to more than a dusting of snow Monday morning.

The snowfall began Sunday night and, according to the National Weather Service, the area was expected to see between 1 to 3 inches total by early afternoon.

Andy Sullivan, DeKalb County Sheriff’s chief deputy, said the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office responded to 35 reports of cars in ditches and six traffic accidents between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday.

The snow was followed by freezing temperatures, topping out in the low 20s Monday, and wind chills Tuesday are expected to be below zero, according to the weather service. Monday morning, DeKalb had 23 mph winds with 32 mph gusts, according to the weather service.

Area retailers had to move the snow to get ready for customers early Monday.

Dwayne Kerley, who was plowing in a CAT vehicle throughout the outer part of the Target parking lot at 2555 Sycamore Road, said the weather has been bad and has made it tough to clear the lot for shoppers looking for deals on Veterans Day.

“I’ve plowed this place three or four times,” he said Monday morning. “It’s so windy. The wind is too much.”

Kerley has a big job ahead of him. He said he’s plowing the whole front and back lots of Target. He stopped to warm up multiple times Monday morning.

“I’ve already had three to four cups of Starbucks,” Kerley said.

The wintry weather made for traffic problems too as cars were skidding off the roads and into ditches across the county.

Sycamore Deputy Police Chief Steve Cook said before noon there had been several minor crashes throughout Sycamore.

“We’ve had several cars stuck in the ditch,” he said. “We had one semitruck where the brakes froze up.”

Cook explained that the truck’s air brakes froze “on,” not “off.”

“He was stuck on the road and couldn’t go,” Cook said. “We gave him a ride to Blain’s Farm and Fleet. He got some brake antifreeze and got going.”

Cook advised drivers in the area to stay off the roads if you don’t need to drive, but if you must, proceed with caution.

“At this point, slow down and brake early,” Cook said. “Stay off the roads until they get this all cleared up. If you have cars parked on the street, get them off the streets so the snow plows can run.”

According to the National Weather Service, there is a 50% chance of snow returning Wednesday.