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Weather Alert

Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in
Illinois...

Big Muddy River near Murphysboro affecting Jackson County.

...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in
Illinois...

Big Muddy River near Plumfield affecting Franklin and Williamson
Counties.

.Levels on the Big Muddy River will continue to fall, dropping below
flood stage near Plumfield and Murphysboro late Sunday or Monday.

For the Big Muddy River...including Plumfield, Murphysboro...
Moderate flooding is forecast.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.

Additional information is available at www.weather.gov.

&&

...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL EARLY MONDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast.

* WHERE...Big Muddy River near Plumfield.

* WHEN...Until early Monday morning.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 10:30 AM CDT Wednesday the stage was 24.3 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to fall below flood stage
late Sunday evening.
- Flood stage is 20.0 feet.


&&

First responders: pay attention when driving

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By Jon Okerstrom

MT. VERNON (WSIL) — With this week’s deadly accident that caused backups on two area interstates, first responders are urging you to pay attention while driving. They say common sense decisions can help save your life. 

Mt. Vernon Fire Chief Kevin Sargent responded to the deadly three-vehicle crash on Interstate 57 Wednesday, "We ask people people slow down pay attention get rid of your distraction make sure that you’re driving safely," said Chief Sargent. 

Illinois State Police say 86-year-old Helen Troutt, from Opdyke, died in the accident. She was a passenger in a car that crossed the median of I-57 near Mount Vernon and crashed into a semi and SUV. The crash caused Interstate 57 south at Dix and Interstate 64 east at Woodlawn to be closed for several hours.

Chief Sargent says first responders face many challenges during an interstate crash, like drivers speeding and not paying attention. 

Chief Sargent explains,"To the people that drive by with their cellphones hanging out the window trying to get a video of whatever we’re working on: put the cell phone down." 

Between 2013 and 2017, there more than 1,800 crashes on I-57, over a 50-mile stretch across Franklin, Williamson, and Jefferson Counties. Twenty of those crashes were fatal.

"Don’t become a statistic. Pay attention, slow down, and make sure that you get to your destination safety that way everybody could get their destination safely," stresses Chief Sargent.

With Memorial Day weekend ahead of us, Chief Sargent urges drivers to keep themselves and those around them safe.