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Weather Alert

Weather Alert

...Funnel clouds will be possible through this afternoon...

There have been reports of funnel clouds today. These funnels
are developing underneath a few showers that are moving across the
area. Underneath these showers...spinning columns of air that
look like tornadoes may continue to develop. These funnels usually
are very brief and rarely touch the ground. If these funnels do
touch down...they most likely will not cause damage to life or
property.

These funnels are due to cooler air aloft...warm moist air near
the ground...and are usually in association with a strong area of
low pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere. Due to little
or no wind shear...they are usually weak and very brief.

ISP lifts tow ban in southern Illinois

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VernellsPOV
By Danny Valle

UPDATE: Feb. 16, 2021 8:40 A.M.

Illinois State Police have lifted the tow ban in Districts 13, 19 and 22.

ORIGINAL STORY: Feb. 15, 2021

WILLIAMSON COUNTY (WSIL) -- Illinois State Police is activating a towing ban for District 13, which covers parts of Southern Illinois.

According to a statement by ISP, a tow ban happens when 'weather conditions make it unsafe to remove a crashed or disabled vehicle until weather and road conditions improve.'

In addition, 'occupants are assisted with transportation to safe locations until arrangements can be made for removal of the vehicle, after the tow ban is lifted.' ISP removes vehicles that present road hazards.

The tow ban will remain in effect until both weather and road conditions improve and allow for the safe removal of vehicles.

The impacted areas include Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, Randolph, Washington and Williamson Counties.

The ban stops work at Vernell's Interstate Service in Marion. Its service director Dustin Halliday said workers were preparing their trucks for anything that comes their way.

"The road conditions are just going to continue to get worse, and they're already bad," Halliday said. "If you don't need to get out, just stay home."

Halliday says one of the biggest challenges a tow truck driver faces in inclement weather is dealing with other drivers. Halliday asks drivers who are out, to slow down and give them room to work.

"We face the same driving conditions that you do," Halliday said. "It's going to be a challenge for us to get to certain places."

If you end up going off the road, Halliday asks that you wait inside your car for help.