Elmhurst Prepares For Likely Blizzard

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst is warning of the possibility of a blizzard starting Thursday.

The storm could result in 2 to 5 inches of snow, with wind gusts as high as 50 mph, the city said in a news release. Wind chill values of 25 to 35 below zero are also expected, the city said.

The city warned the storm may result in whiteout conditions with zero visibility at times, making travel extremely difficult.

As temperatures fall, roads will quickly be covered with ice, according to the news release.

City snow removal crews will work around the clock, the release said.

Garbage is set to be picked up starting at 5 a.m. Thursday. Pickup on Friday is expected to operate as normal.

The city said residents can help crews by keeping fire hydrants free of snow piles and not blowing or shoveling snow onto city streets.

In Elmhurst, residents are barred from parking on city streets for eight hours after at least 2 inches of snowfall. The city said it would not allow any overnight street parking on Thursday evening.

The city also offered advice on plumbing: "Residents should ... take preventative measures to avoid freezing pipes by leaving faucets that share an exterior wall, with a small pencil-size stream running. Also, be sure to open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warm air. If pipes freeze, use the master shut-off valve to cut the water flow to the home immediately and call a licensed plumber. Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or any kind of open flame."