Early morning update: Digging out
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By Rick Rector | Tuesday, February 26, 2008 |
Good Tuesday, Quad-Cities. Time to dig out from another snow, again. At 6 a.m., it's 30 degrees under a gusty foggy/mist. The snow has pretty much ended. We didn't get as much snow as predicted, but there's still enough of the wet stuff that you'll want to allow a little extra time to shovel the driveway and sidewalk before work. Mother Nature and her warm temperatures combined with a little road salt are keeping the main roads clear, but slushy. Side streets and rural roads? Be careful!
For those traveling in downtown Davenport: two lanes of West Third Street are closed between Main and Brady streets.
Bettendorf: Commuters will want to keep an eye out for traffic bottlenecks and repair crews today along Spruce Hills Drive and in the following areas as work continues filling some nasty potholes: Spruce Hills Drive east of Utica Ridge Road with lane closures; Spruce Hills Drive, Woodland Lane/ Linden Lane with lane closures; 18th Street north of Grant Street with one-way traffic; and Middle Road west of Stafford Boulevard to 29th Street with lane closures.
School closings/delays
Some area schools have canceled classes or are delaying the start of classes because of the weather. Also, other community events/meetings have been postponed because of the snow. CLICK HERE to stay up to date with your school/event's situation.
Road conditions
Check out area road conditions before you hit the road. CLICK HERE for Illinois road conditions. CLICK HERE for Iowa road conditions.
Here's how today's weather is shaping up
Today snow is still likely before noon, then flurries. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Temperatures will fall to around 27 degrees by 5 p.m. It will be breezy, with a north wind between 20 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Tonight there will be scattered flurries before midnight with a low around 12 degrees. (Source: National Weather Service)
Don't overdo it shoveling snow
While shoveling snow can be good exercise, it can also be dangerous for optimistic shovelers who take on more than they can handle.
According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission:
-- In 2006, more than 31,000 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms, doctors' offices, clinics and other medical settings for injuries sustained while shoveling or otherwise removing ice and snow manually.
-- More than 5,000 were injured using snow blowers.
-- Types of injuries can include sprains and strains, particularly in the back and shoulders, as well as lacerations and finger amputations.
"People tend to think of snow removal as just another household task, but it really involves a lot of bending and heavy lifting," says Dr. Glen D. Shapiro, an orthopaedic surgeon. "It can be especially dangerous for people who do not regularly exercise, as their bodies are not prepared for that level of activity."
The National Safety Council offers the following tips to help you get a handle on safe shoveling:
-- Individuals over the age of 40, or those who are relatively inactive, should be especially careful.
-- If you have a history of heart trouble, do not shovel without a doctor's permission.
-- Do not shovel after eating or while smoking.
-- Take it slow! Shoveling (like lifting weights) can raise your heart rate and blood pressure dramatically; so pace yourself. Be sure to stretch out and warm up before taking on the task.
-- Shovel only fresh snow. Freshly fallen, powdery snow is easier to shovel than the wet, packed down variety.
-- Push the snow as you shovel. It's easier on your back than lifting the snow out of the way.
-- Don't pick up too much at once. Use a small shovel, or fill only one-fourth or one-half of a large one.
-- Lift with your legs bent, not your back. Keep your back straight. By bending and "sitting" into the movement, you'll keep your spine upright and less stressed. Your shoulders, torso and thighs can do the work for you.
-- Do not work to the point of exhaustion. If you run out of breath, take a break. If you feel tightness in your chest, stop immediately.
-- Dress warmly. Remember that extremities, such as the nose, ears, hands and feet, need extra attention during winter's cold. Wear a turtleneck sweater, cap, scarf, face protection, mittens, wool socks and waterproof boots.
And if you're snow blowing:
-- Never stick your hands in the snow blower! If snow becomes too impacted, stop the engine and wait at least five seconds. Use a solid object to clear wet snow or debris from the chute. Beware of the recoil of the motor and blades after the machine has been turned off.
-- Do not leave the snow blower unattended when it is running. Shut off the engine if you must walk away from the machine.
-- Watch the snow blower cord. If you are operating an electric snow blower, be aware of where the power cord is at all times.
-- Add fuel before starting the snow blower. Never add fuel when the engine is running or hot. Do not operate the machine in an enclosed area.
-- Read the instruction manual. Prior to using a snow blower, read the instruction manual for specific safety hazards, unfamiliar features, and whenever attempting to repair or maintain the snow blower.
Kudos
Happy birthday, Buffalo Bill Cody. He was born in 1846 in Scott County, Iowa. His boyhood home is located in rural Scott County in the Wapsi River valley. Although the homestead is closed for the winter, the Cody Homestead web page at CLICK HERE will show you a few of the many features of this historic site.
Basketball playoffs
Davenport Assumption High School girls face off against Unity Christian at 11 a.m. in the Iowa state girls basketball tournament in Des Moines. If they win, the undefeated Knights will play Thursday.
And in boys basketball, it's Bettendorf vs. Davenport Central in substate action tonight at 7 p.m.
See news happening? Share it
Drop us an e-mail at newsroom@qctimes.com or give us a call at (563) 383-2235 if you see breaking news such as house fires, traffic accidents and congestion, road conditions, street closures, detours and water main breaks in the Quad-City region.
Flight times
Flying? CLICK HERE to check flight status, wait times and more for regional airports, including the Quad-City International Airport in Moline and O'Hare International Airport in Chicago.
Plot a pothole
Had your teeth rattled by a car-eating pothole? First, call the city where the pothole is located. Here are the phone numbers: Davenport: 326-7923; Bettendorf: 344-4088; Moline: 797-0425; Rock Island: 732-2200; East Moline: 752-1573. Second, go online CLICK HERE and add it to our pothole map. Find out where the worst potholes are in the Quad-Cities.
Road work
Here is the latest road construction work in your area.
Henry County
-- Eastbound traffic is restricted to one lane on I-80 at Cleveland Road until December.
-- Drivers on Illinois 78 from 2 miles north of I-80 to Coal Creek should expect lane restrictions during road improvements until December.
Carroll County
-- Eastbound and westbound traffic on U.S. 52 and Illinois 64 from east of Savanna to east of Illinois 78 will be restricted to one lane and controlled by traffic signals until December.
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