Zero Crash Calls During Snowstorm, Manhattan Police Chief Says

MANHATTAN, IL — Manhattan residents apparently either stayed off the roads, or drove very carefully as snow fell heavily and relentlessly Saturday.

Manhattan police did not respond to a single crash, Police Chief Ryan Gulli told Patch Monday.

"Thanks for staying off the roads unless urgent," Gulli said.

The unyielding winter storm dumped a recorded 8.4 inches at Chicago O'Hare International, though totals varied across the state. Manhattan saw about 8 inches, recorded by a trained spotter reporting to the National Weather Service. A second location in east/northeast Manhattan reported 7 inches. Joliet got 8.5 inches, and Mokena had 7.6. Peotone's total was recorded as 9.1.

Snow began during the pre-dawn hours on Saturday and continued through Sunday morning, with the heaviest snow occurring between about noon and midnight. Manhattan's Public Works Department deployed its fleet of 16 plows to clear roads—four big trucks including two F-650s, an F-550, an F-450, five pick-ups, two front loaders and one bobcat—with drivers out for a total of 23 hours, Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen said.

"I’m proud to share that Manhattan had zero crashes during Saturday’s snowstorm," Adrieansen said. "Our public works crews responded quickly, our police and EMA stayed vigilant, and our residents used good judgment on the roads. This is a great example of our community looking out for one another."

The storm has been dubbed the snowiest November day in decades, topping the previous high of 8.0 inches, recorded on Nov. 6, 1951. NWS said the snow storm delivered the most snow to the area overall since Jan. 30-31, 2021. It also crushed the previous record for Nov. 29 at O'Hare, which was only 3 inches in 1942.

Road conditions were treacherous in many areas, with Illinois State Police reporting troopers responded to 500 crashes on area highways, including 66 crashes involving injuries. State police also responded to about 300 drivers in need of assistance on snowy roads.

Manhattan Fire Protection District Chief Steve Malone said crews were called to just three crashes—one at 128th and Wilmington-Peotone Road, another at Route 50 and County Line, and a third on I-57. All were minor, Malone said.