Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for January 31, 2009 IT'S OFFICIAL...A DISASTER

Glad to see that the City of Cairo is "in the mix" this time. In years past, we got the damage but often missed the label that brings real relief - i.e. MONEY!

Let's just hope that CSD #1 officials remember to file the proper forms to receive "Act of God" designation for the days of school missed beyond the five built into the calendar!

Quinn: Seven SI counties disaster areas

By Tara Fasol, The Southern

On his first full day in office, Gov. Pat Quinn declared seven-storm stricken Southern Illinois counties as state disaster areas, opening up doors for emergency management funding.

The counties - Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski and Union -were hit hard by a storm that dumped sleet and snow Monday night through Wednesday morning.

Several electrical substations were knocked out, and power lines were downed across the region. About 12,000 homes were without power at times. Roof collapses were also reported in several communities.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency "has been coordinating closely with local officials to determine what assistance they need from the state," Quinn said. "This declaration will ensure that state assets are available to help them to protect the safety of their citizens and quickly recover from this destructive winter storm."

The state will provide personnel, equipment and other resources to help with security and other public safety issues.

The Alexander County Emergency Operations Center issued a news release Thursday addressing continued problems with power outages and dangers road conditions.

Shelters were established for those without power at the Bennett School, 434 18th St., Cairo, and Horseshow Lake Fire Department, 26045 Illinois 3, in Olive Branch.

The release cautioned residents to check credentials of anyone claiming to do snow or debris removal for the county or state and also asked that residents check on their neighbors, primarily the disabled and elderly.

"Do not pay cash under any circumstances," Sheriff David Barkett cautioned. "It is better for residents to use local companies and contractors."

The Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative reported that Friday began with about 6,000 customers still without power. SIEC offers power to most of Alexander, Pope, Massac, Johnson, Pulaski and Union counties.

"We estimate power being restored to most members within the next seven days, but some may experience an even longer outage period," SIEC said on its Web site.

Friday evening, AmerenCIPS reported 832 of its customers were without power in Massac County and 508 customers were without power in Pulaski County. In other Southern Illinois counties, AmerenCIPS reported outages were resolved or reduced to single digits.

About 5 p.m. Friday, the U.S. 45 bridge over the Ohio River at Paducah reopened. It had been closed since about 10 p.m. Monday because of ice. Warmer weather Friday helped melt ice that had accumulated on the bridge deck.

Also known as the Brookport Bridge, the structure normally carries about 4,500 vehicles daily across the river between Kentucky and Illinois.