States of Emergency Declared in Illinois, New York, Indiana, Tennessee

State Of Disaster Declared in Illinois
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Gov Quinn has declared a state of disaster for Illinois following a paralyzing snowstorm and a massive polar vortex causing extreme cold.

“As we continue to monitor weather conditions and work nonstop to respond to this winter storm, we will ensure that critical state services continue,” said Quinn in a statement posted on his website. “To protect the safety of our employees and the people they serve, I am directing state employees whose duties are not critical to state services to stay home and off the roads on Monday.”

The disaster declaration follows a major snow storm that dumped more than a foot new snow in many areas. The storm was followed by a polar vortex that plunged the temperature to dangerously low levels of about -45 degrees (-43ºC) and forced the closures of schools, businesses and government agencies.

In the last few days, the state of Illinois has used 9,400 tons of salt and 1,900 tons of liquid chloride to de-ice the roads, reported CBS Chicago.

Some 130 vehicle crashes were reported and up to 650 motorists had to be rescued through Sunday night, said CBS.

Polar Vortex drives east, States of Emergency declared for multiple areas

Gov. Cuomo has declared states of emergency for multiple counties as the polar vortex moves into western New York.

The emergency declaration covers 14 counties including Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Monroe, Oneida, Orleans, Oswego, Wayne and Wyoming.

• A wind chill warning is in effect for Allegany,  Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Genesee, Erie, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties, as of posting

• A blizzard warning is in effect for Erie, Genesee and Wyoming counties, as of posting.

• The vortex is expected to produce wind gusts up to 45 mph, with wind chill temperatures as low as -40 degrees.

• Total snowfall of about 36 inches is forecast for parts of the affected region over the next 36 hours.

• Some 300 New York Army and Air National Guard citizen Soldiers and Airmen in western and central New York have been mobilized to help local authorities if needed.

“As this new winter storm develops, bringing heavy snow and high winds, I strongly urge all citizens in these regions to exercise caution, avoid travel, and stay indoors,” Cuomo said. “To ensure an effective and rapid response to this winter storm, I am declaring a state of emergency, so resources can get to communities where they are needed as quickly as possible.”

U.S. Weather Hazards Map (Hazmap)  for Tuesday, January 7, 2014. Issued at 10:54UTC. Source: NWS. UPDATE

State of Emergency Declared in Indiana

Gov. Pence has declared a state of Emergency in  29 Indiana counties, as  record snowfalls and record-low temperatures plagued Indiana last Monday night.

The list of counties includes: Clinton, Delaware, Elkhart, Fulton, Grant, Howard, Jasper, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marshall, Montgomery, Newton, Noble, Porter, Pulaski, Rush, St. Joseph, Starke, Steuben, Sullivan, Tipton, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, White and Whitley.

UPDATE: Tennessee cancels its state of emergency

Extreme cold and sub-zero wind chills were forecast to continue into Tuesday; however, Tennessee canceled its state of emergency on Monday afternoon, AP reported.

Related Links and Chronology

• 2014: Year Five of Human-Enhanced Natural Disasters  January 1, 2014
• Major Winter Storm to Batter Midwest, Northeast January 2, 2014
• States of Emergency Declared in New York, New Jersey January 3, 2014
• Climate and Weather Extremes Plaguing the World January 4, 2014
• Deadly Cold Plagues U.S. January 5, 2014
• UPDATED: Deadly Cold Plagues U.S. January 5, 2014
• Giga Arctic Blast Affecting 250 Million in 40 States January 5, 2014
• States of Emergency Declared in NW Indiana, Tennessee January 6, 2014
• More Extreme Weather Events to Hit North America  January 7, 2014