DuPage
County Board Chairman Dan Cronin reports that the Homeland Security and
Emergency Management office will remain open throughout the night in order to
coordinate response and recovery efforts throughout the County.
“I have
declared a State of Emergency to empower my senior management team to swiftly
and effectively respond to all needs that arise from Sunday’s storm. Our staff
has worked around the clock since Sunday afternoon and will continue to
coordinate the storm efforts as needed throughout the week,” said Cronin.
The
severe thunderstorm swept through the County on Sunday with 80 mph winds, penny-sized
hail and more than an inch of rain. The storm left several County roads
impassible due to fallen power lines and large tree limbs.
Power Outages
The
County’s Department of Transportation (DOT) has deployed employees to clear
debris along county trails so that ComEd can reach the downed wires and restore
power.
“The
safety of DuPage County residents is my main concern, therefore I urge them to
stay away from dangerous sections of the trails,” said Cronin.
According
to DOT, the following trails should be avoided due to down wires and fallen
tree limbs:
- Illinois
Prairie Path (IPP) Main Stem between County Farm Road and Prince Crossing;
- Geneva
Spur near Morningside Drive;
- Great
Western Trail from County Farm Road to the IPP; and
- Elgin
Branch from the Great Western Trail to Smith Road.
Health
Department Closed Until July 5
The
DuPage County Health Department will close all of its offices effective Monday
afternoon and will reopen at 8 a.m. Thursday, July 5.
The move
to close all offices for 48 hours will allow ComEd enough time to get the power
back on in the County. It will allow the Health Department to resume services
in a safe and healthy manner.
Communicable
Disease, Environmental Health Services and select Behavior Services, such as
the CRISIS line, will be operational.
More
information can be found at www.dupagehealth.org
or on Facebook at DuPage County Health Department and on Twitter at @DuPageHD.
Remainder
of County Offices Re-Open Tuesday
The County
is expecting to re-open the administration buildings for regular business at 8
a.m. Tuesday, July 3.
Despite
today’s closing of portions of the government complex, critical facility and
public safety operations remained open such as the DuPage County Sheriff’s
Department, the Convalescent Center, Animal Control and the County’s Office of
Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
The
Court House was open for Circuit Court and Traffic Court until Noon.
It is
expected that all of these offices will open for regular business on Tuesday.
Residents and employees are urged to visit www.ProtectDuPage.org for the latest
information regarding the reopening of the DuPage County campus.
DuPage
County Fairgrounds
The
DuPage County Fairgrounds also experienced widespread damage from fallen trees
and from damage to the power transmission. As a result of the damage, Wheaton
has cancelled the July 3 fireworks.