siuDE.com

Snow is likely to continue today as a winter storm that caused fender benders and power outages Thursday moves through the area.

Carbondale was hit with the first major storm of the year and the rain and sleet that fell Wednesday night combined with the added snow to make for slick conditions Thursday.

Sean Henry, Carbondale's maintenance and environmental service manager, said the city was prepared when the storm moved in at 11 a.m. He said snowplows were out to make sure the main roads and side streets were cleared as quickly as possible.

"We've established a street emergency plan so when this occurs we are able to handle the situation right away," Henry said.

There were also reports of power outages affecting the whole downtown area of Carbondale as well as the businesses located on the Strip, Henry said.

Jim Curtis, an employee of Old Town Liquors located on South Illinois Avenue, said the power outage lasted roughly 20 minutes.

"It didn't affect business because we were able to use light from outside the store and it wasn't a busy time for us," Curtis said.

SIUC Physical Plant Director Phil Gatton said his staff would be out at 3 a.m. today to combat weather-related problems on campus. Gatton said Physical Plant employees toured campus beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday to ensure campus sidewalks were safe to navigate.

The university has subscribed to a special weather service provider for Carbondale in preparation for weather concerns, Gatton said. So before the storm hit Thursday morning, maintenance workers were out salting the streets and sidewalks.

"Usually we have eight to 10 workers out to take care of the problem. But with the conditions, we knew we might need quite a few more to start at 3 a.m.," Gatton said.

With freezing temperatures Thursday night, Gatton said he anticipated ice to cover the campus. He said he was ready to do everything he could to make sure students would be able to attend Friday morning classes.

Shang Heng Lo, an undergraduate from Taiwan studying foreign language and international trade, said although classes were already in session when the storm arrived, he noticed there was lower attendance than usual.

Lo said he found it easier to find a space in Lawson's parking lot Thursday morning. Later in the afternoon, Lo said it was becoming more difficult.

"Class should have been canceled because a lot of students live far and it was hard to drive and find a space. It was dangerous for students to walk too," Lo said.

University spokesman Rod Sievers said he couldn't remember a time in the last 20 years the university had canceled classes because of snow. Sievers said he expected classes to remain on schedule today.

Jenn Lofton can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 270 or jlofton@siu.edu.

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