Disaster area declared along Fox River

Flooding and ice along the Fox River has already forced people from their homes.  Now it’s lead to a La Salle County Disaster Declaration for that area. 

The declaration was approved Wednesday by County Board Chairman Jerry Hicks and County Clerk Jo Ann Carretto.

          The county Emergency Management Agency says the declaration could open up opportunities for the people that live in the affected area as the situation progresses. 

A county declaration is needed before they could request state resources.

Another Ice Rescue

Conservation Police say alcohol played a role in an A-T-V accident yesterday in DePue.

Investigators say 30 year old Jacob Walk of DePue was driving his A-T-V on Spring Lake around 4 yesterday afternoon when he hit and soft spot and fell into the water, beneath the ice.  His passenger, 27 year old Kevin McCauley also of DePue stayed on top of the ice and was able to pull Walk out of the water before emergency officials arrived.

Walk was arrested for DUI and reckless operation of an A-T-V.  He and McCauley were both treated and released at St. Margaret’s Hospital.

Winter Storm Warning

At this time tomorrow, snow could be falling across the area.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Bureau and Putnam counties from this evening thru Thursday evening.  A Winter Storm Watch is in effect during the same period for La Salle County.

The weather service expects snow to hit the La Salle-Peru area around midnight tonight and continue to come down until tapering off tomorrow night.  The weather right now is saying as much as 10 inches of snow could fall in some spots.

Bitter cold temperatures and blowing and drifting snow is expected to also be an issue.