News Flash

UPDATES:

• Garbage Service: WM has suspended Friday garbage collection service. Please move your garbage cans away from the street to assist with snow clearing. The current plan is to service Friday customers on Saturday, though that will also be a weather dependent decision.
• Power Outages: Power outages are reported in the area, affecting homes, businesses and traffic lights. If you have an outage, please report it to ComEd. Info on reporting outages and receiving updates is on the ComEd outage webpage. If you see a downed line, please do not approach it.
• Avoid Travel: All of the plow crews (Village, County and State) have been working around the clock, and will continue to do so. However the nature of this dynamic storm makes it very difficult to keep up with the snowfall, as well as the anticipated icing conditions. If you don't need to travel, please stay off the roads. Thank you to all of the people who are working long hours to keep us safe.
• Take It Easy: This snow is extremely heavy. Be very mindful and take it slow - or call for professional snow removal.
• 911: As Countryside Fire's Tony Rodkey teaches the kids, "When in doubt, call it out - call 911." If you have an emergency, please reach out for assistance. Additional resources follow on the list below.

RESOURCES:

• Emergency Warming Centers: There are several designated warming centers throughout Lake County – including Hawthorn Mall, during regular business hours. It is suggested to call each site to confirm.
• Street Parking: Please keep vehicles and garbage bins off the street during and after a snow of at least 2 inches to allow roads to be effectively cleared. Vehicles left on the streets may end up with a ticket. Learn more about the ordinance by visiting the VHPD's Overnight Parking Permit webpage.
• Shoveling: Consider shoveling snow to the right side of the end of your driveway so that plows have less to push into your driveway as they head down the street. Our plow drivers do their best, but it has to go somewhere. Also, please do not throw snow out into the street. This is to your benefit as if it ices down out there you will likely have a very slippery area to deal with until everything thaws out.
• Check Your Neighbors: If we do get a big storm, please consider checking in on neighbors, especially those who may have less ability to clear snow or navigate slippery walks. Thanks for being good neighbors.
• Clear the Hydrants: Countryside Fire asks that we keep our neighborhood fire hydrants cleared, to assist in speedy emergency response. People who adopt a hydrant can even earn a certificate. Learn more by visiting the CFPD website.
• Reach Out for Help: If you need support – during this storm or at any time – please check the Village's Health & Human Services webpage listing a variety of resources. One extremely helpful website is 211 Lake County (visit online, dial 211, or text your zip code to 898211). 
• House Watch: If you will be out of town, consider a Vacation House Watch, provided by the Vernon Hills Police Department.
• Emergency Messages: Sign up for the Village's reverse 911 emergency message system, called Blackboard Connect. This system is used only for emergency or timely messages targeted to specific neighborhoods.
• Lake County Passage: Get real time traffic updates as well as views from county plows. Lake County Passage is available as a website, as well as an app.