Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for February 7, 2008 SILVER LINING?

This posting is for my colleagues at Cairo Jr/Sr High School...trying to find a "pick-me-up" to get us through the day(s).

And remember February 18 is Presidents Day...and March 3 is Pulaski Day...and March 21 is the beginning of Spring Break...and tomorrow is FRIDAY!

Hang in there, Jr/Sr CATs...I luv ya!

Rain and snow in forecast for next week

By Bethany Krajelis and staff, The Southern

Southern Illinois has seen a wide variety of weather this month, from several inches of snow closing schools last week to a downpour Tuesday that flooded many area roads to the point of closure.

And it's not quite over yet, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, which is predicting near-freezing temperatures and a 20 percent chance of rain before midnight Friday. Chances for rain and snow are in the forecast for early next week as well.

Agencies throughout Southern Illinois reported flash flooding, closed roads and minor weather damage Tuesday, shortly after some communities sounded tornado sirens at about 7:30 p.m. A touchdown was not confirmed in Southern Illinois, but dozens of twisters and more than 50 fatalities were reported in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama.

It appears the worst of Tuesday's storm in Southern Illinois was flash flooding. Heavy rains closed dozens of roads in the southern counties. Officials in Marion said high water closed four streets and left several motorists stranded.

Marion Police reported responding to seven stalled vehicle reports from 9:30 p.m. Tuesday to 5:39 a.m. Wednesday. Union County officials said a few roads were closed, but no major damage was reported. The Saline County Sheriff's Department reported no major incidents.

Illinois State Police are investigating a fatal accident that occurred at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Union County, but it was unknown Wednesday evening whether the accident was weather-related.

Police said an 87-year-old man, who is not being identified pending family notification, was driving southbound on Old U.S. 51 when his vehicle left the roadway, went down an embankment, hit a tree and overturned.

State police also responded to a report of three tractor-trailers being blown over on Interstate 57 near Ina in Jefferson County on Tuesday evening. Perry County officials reported that a camper trailer blew into a nearby yard, but was unoccupied at the time. Neither incident resulted in injury.

Fallen power lines and trees were common reports made of Tuesday's weather. The amount of rain that fell varied by community. Cairo reported a little more than an inch, whereas Carbondale saw nearly two inches and areas in Gallatin and Perry counties saw more than two inches of rain.

The weather service is predicting a partly sunny and potentially windy day today. A chance of rain is pegged for Friday, but the rest of the weekend is looking clear and cold. Rain or snow is in the forecast for Monday night.