Weather
Illinois Winter Weather Awareness Through Oct 31: Ice Jam Flooding
Springfield, IL – Ice covered highways, falling trees and widespread power outages can quickly create dangerous conditions across Illinois. As winter weather awareness efforts continue Tuesday, Octobe
By Lauren Beckett · 2026-10-27T07:58:28.976Z
Springfield, IL – Ice covered highways, falling trees and widespread power outages can quickly create dangerous conditions across Illinois. As winter weather awareness efforts continue Tuesday, October 27, residents are being reminded that freezing rain and river ice jams pose serious threats to travel, electricity and communities during the colder months.
According to the National Weather Service NWS , freezing rain occurs when liquid precipitation freezes upon contact with surfaces at or below freezing. Accumulating ice can make roads treacherous, damage trees and power lines, and leave communities without electricity.
How Dangerous Can Illinois Ice Storms Become? Even a thin coating of ice can make untreated roads, bridges and sidewalks extremely slippery. Accumulations approaching half an inch can cause significant tree damage and widespread electrical disruptions.
Drivers traveling Interstate 55, Interstate 57, Interstate 80, Interstate 90 and Interstate 94 should exercise caution when freezing rain is forecast.
From the Chicago metropolitan area and northern Illinois to Springfield, Champaign and southern communities, ice accumulation can disrupt travel and electrical service.
Ice Jams Can Trigger Sudden Winter Flooding Another serious winter threat develops when river ice accumulates and restricts water flow, potentially causing rapid flooding upstream.
Winter thaws, heavy rainfall and melting snow can increase this risk, particularly when frozen ground prevents water from soaking into the soil.
Communities along the Illinois, Fox, Rock, Kankakee and Mississippi rivers can face ice jam concerns during winter warmups.
Northern Illinois waterways, including the Kankakee and Fox rivers, have experienced ice related flooding during past winters.
How Illinois Residents Can Prepare Before severe winter weather arrives, residents should take several precautions:
Keep flashlights, batteries, blankets and emergency supplies accessible. Charge phones and prepare for extended power outages. Avoid unnecessary driving during significant freezing rain. Stay away from downed power lines and unstable river ice. Never drive through flooded roadways. Residents can monitor official forecasts through the NWS Chicago office , NWS Lincoln office and NWS Paducah office , which serve different portions of Illinois.
Winter weather awareness efforts continue through Saturday, October 31 , emphasizing preparation before ice storms, power outages and river flooding threaten Illinois communities.