Oak Forest: Post Snow, What To Know

OAK FOREST, IL — Wish it was spring already? Many will agree if you answered yes. A snowstorm that started over the weekend and lasted into Tuesday morning dumped more than a foot of snow on some areas, with the highest snowfall total so far — nearly 18 inches — seen at Midway airport.

Cook County was hit the hardest, but other areas, including parts of Will County, got as much as 9 inches in some places. The National Weather Service has yet to specify the amount of snow fall Oak Forest received from the storm, but here are some things to know when going about your day.

No Trash Pick-Up

Homewood Disposal Service is postponing garbage pickup for Tuesday, Feb. 16 due to heavy snowfall. The company's sites will also be closed.

Routes are being pushed back a day, and the disposal service will be servicing customers Wednesday through Saturday to make up for Tuesday, similar to a holiday week. In other words, if your regular garbage collection is Tuesday, it's going to be delayed by a day.

Schools Closed

We've got good news and bad news for all you kids out there. The good news is that in-person classes and school buildings will be closed Tuesday, Feb. 16. The bad news is that a lot of you will have e-learning.

Here are the schools that are canceling in-person classes or canceling classes:

• Arbor Park School District 145: Closed, E-learning.
• Community Consolidated School District 146: Closed, E-learning.
• Bremen High School District 228: Schools closed with E-learning.
• St. Michael's & Cardinal Bernardin: Closed, E-learning.

Source: Emergency Closing Center

Make Sure Those Fire Hydrants Are Clear

If a fire were to occur, firefighters would have to dig the snow out from the hydrants near your home, as minutes go by and flames continue to burn.

Out of caution, check the hydrants near your home for snow coverage. Clear at least three feet of snow around the hydrants, and create a path opening from the hydrant to the street.

Snow Plows

The city aims to clear all roads within 12 hours of each storm. According to the city, The Public Works Department provides snow and ice control for the city's 152-lane miles of streets and 93 cul-de-sacs. Snow and ice removal/control is considered emergency work that has to be done by public safety officials for the well-being of the community.

Learn more on the city's website, here.

Tinley Park Convention Center

The Tinley Park Convention Center is being used as a mass COVID-19 vaccination site, and was the first mass site to open in Illinois back in January. Tinley Park Public Works announced that due to the severe weather conditions, the site will remain closed on Tuesday, and reopen Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.

Many people are scrambling to schedule a vaccine appointment, and the site is one place those who wish to be inoculated are getting into. A representative from Cook County will be in contact with those who now have cancelled appointments.

Don't go out if you don't have to

The National Weather Service advised motorists to use caution, as blowing and drifting snow continued to reduce visibility on the roads. Localized heavy lake effect snowfall rates could also continue near Lake Michigan through the morning, with hazardous travel conditions due to snow-covered roads.
Authorities urged residents to:

• Consider postponing non-essential travel
• Bring an emergency kit if you must drive
• Check road conditions before leaving
• Take it slow when shoveling snow

The area could get more snow in the coming days, with light snow possible Wednesday night and more snow — most likely near the lake) on Thursday.
Friday and Saturday are expected to be partly sunny with highs in the low 20s.