Winter Storm in Illinois, December 10 to 11, 2000

A powerful early winter storm developed in the Rockies and tracked through southern Missouri and Illinois late on Sunday the 10th through the Monday the 11th. The snow began late Sunday night and continued through Monday night. Storm totals of 8 to 11 inches were common over much of eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois, with 5 to 8 inch amounts to the south in far southeast Iowa, northeast Missouri, and west central Illinois. The strong low pressure center produced wind gusts up to 40 miles an hour Monday afternoon and night, which created near blizzard conditions and drifted many area roads shut. Many road crews across the area were pulled Monday afternoon and night, before returning to the job early Tuesday. An accident in Hancock county Monday claimed one life after a vehicle slid into oncoming traffic. Otherwise, there were surprisingly few accidents involving injuries reported by area law enforcement. Road crews reported very light traffic Monday. An eastern Iowa resident suffered a heart attack after shoveling snow Monday. Area hospitals also treated many people suffering from hypothermia, chest pains, and injuries from falling on the ice. Most area schools were closed both Monday and Tuesday, and many businesses closed early Monday. Temperatures dropped into the single digits Monday night into Tuesday, as wind chills dipped to 20 to 40 below zero. The dangerously cold conditions continued Tuesday as snow removal efforts continued. Law enforcement reported a number of accidents on Tuesday as traffic picked up.