Severe Weather Recap

May is coming in like a lion weather wise.

Watches and warnings were in effect throughout the listening area yesterday.  At four Sunday afternoon, police reported a funnel cloud in the area of South Jefferson Street in Streator.  Just minutes before that, quarter size hail was reported in Streator.  There was also flash flooding reported yesterday afternoon including two feet of water over Highway 17 near Wenona.

In Bureau County, a funnel cloud was reported just before two Sunday afternoon west of Princeton.  With that storm, there were reports of quarter size to golf ball size hail.

About an hour later near McNabb there was quarter size hail and a 75 mile per hour wind gust.

Ground your Mylar balloons

ComEd is reminding customers that helium-filled Mylar balloons can cause power outages. The utility says that so far this year the balloons have caused outages affecting about 11,000 customers. That includes about 900 customers affected by a balloon-related outage on Wednesday. Mylar ballons have metallic properties that can cause a surge of electricity. A surge can cause the equipment to short-circuit. ComEd suggests consumers keep balloons tied down at all times and attached to weights. Also, properly dispose of Mylar balloons by puncturing the balloon to release helium that otherwise could cause it to float away.

 

Carriers collect food Saturday

You probably lost track of the time…but, it’s been twenty years since mail carriers started collecting food for the hungry. Fredric Rolando is President of the National Association of Letter Carriers. Rolando says the largest one-day food-collection has been a success every year….but, says this year’s needs are staggering. Rolando says 16% of all Americans are at risk of hunger. Last year, letter carriers, despite obstacles, carried 70.2 millions pounds of food making the total over the history of the drive at 1.1 billion pounds. Campbells Soups is donating 75 million postcards, so you’ll likely get one about the drive this Saturday. Leave canned goods at your mailbox.

I-80 road work starts Sunday

If Interstate 80 between Utica and Ottawa is part of your drive be careful, especially at night.  A $20 million construct project begins this evening. The work zone will span from the Utica Interchange to the Fox River Bridge east of Route 23. Crews will be working at night to remove asphalt, patch holes, and resurface the road. They’ll also be installing guardrails and other safety features. Three bridges will also be repaired. Construction will be going on overnight Sunday through Friday. Traffic will be down to one lane during the week. Advanced Asphalt of Princeton is the contractor. Constructed is expected to last through November 1.

Strobel found – questions remain

Someone living along the Illinois River saw something Saturday morning that did not look right. That person contacted Ottaw police who notified Ottawa River Rescue. And that, says Ottawa Police detective, Dave Gualandri, is how the body of Chris Strobel was found about 10am today (Saturday) a mile west of the train tressel on the river’s north shore. Gualandri says there were no immediate signs of foul play, but they’ll examine the body more thoroughly. The family has been notified. Gualandri says one key question is how Chris Strobel ended up in the Illinois River?