(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — More than 100 members of the Illinois National Guard will be deployed ahead of a severe winter storm system that could drop nearly 2 feet of snow in some areas of the state, Gov. JB Pritzker announced.
At a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Pritzker issued a disaster declaration and said a variety of state resources, including Department of Transportation vehicles and the Illinois State Police, will be utilized on roadways.
The activated National Guard members, meantime, would be in heavy-duty military vehicles to “support winter weather operations in central Illinois,” the governor’s office said.
State police and Guard members will focus on assisting motorists who become stranded in blizzard or white-out conditions.
“On the ground, all state assets stand ready to assist," Pritzker said. "I encourage everyone to do what you can to stay safe: listen to local authorities to stay up to date with the latest conditions in your community and make sure your household has essentials."
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency will coordinate the state’s response to the storm from Springfield.
Snow was expected Tuesday evening through Wednesday. Snowfall levels will vary widely across Illinois, but central Illinois could see as much as 20 inches of snow, officials said. Other regions face heavy rainfall and freezing conditions.
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