Bill Recktenwald e-mails us from downstate Hardin County, Ill., which borders Kentucky on the Ohio River and includes these amazing post-ice and snow storm photos from Garden of the Gods road. He describes the ice which lingers on the trees there in the wake of this past week's storm there as having turned the trees into a crystal-like forest -- an apt description as you can see in these shots.
Many of you may recognize Bill’s name -- he reported over many years in the pages of the "Chicago Tribune," and his byline is very familiar to the paper's readers. Bill reports he's been able to mitigate problems associated with the widespread storm-related power outages to some extent which continue to plague many areas downstate. He tells us the damage was so extensive, residents of the area are being told it could be five or six days before everyone's power is restored there.
THANKS for the incredible photos and for the update, and stay safe and warm through all this, Bill! It's always great hearing from you!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photos courtesy of Bill Recktenwald, Hardin County, Ill.
