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Mine subsidence situation in Benld worsening

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UPDATE April 10, 10:20am: Currently only three homes are without power and gas service is expected to be restored early next week. Food services will be discontinued at 2 p.m. today, Friday, April 10. Call the Benld Police Department at 835-2217 to report any issues requiring investigation or assistance.

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UPDATE 5:52pm: According to Mayor Gloria Sidar, power has been restored to almost all of the 70 homes previously without power. “At three o’clock this afternoon, there were five homes with methane gas levels still in them,” Sidar explained. “One of those five has power now, two of those are vacant and power will not be restored and we are waiting for a response from the landowner for the final two.”

Gas will not be turned on until Monday at the earliest, according to Mayor Sidar. “Gas is contingent on the methane levels still rising from the ground,” Mayor Sidar said. If gas is expected to be restored to the affected area sooner, The BenGil Post will provide an update. The City of Benld along with the Macoupin County Emergency Management Agency are continuing to monitor the methane gas conditions in the area.

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UPDATE 5:02pm: The City of Benld is serving dinner to all Benld residents tonight at the Benld Civic Center starting at 5 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m and the American Red Cross is on-site providing assistance to any residents who need their services.

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BENLD – Rain on Wednesday and more rain in the forecast for today, Thursday, April 9, has made the mine subsidence situation in Benld worse as nearly 15 homes have damaged foundations after ground starting sinking early Wednesday morning.

Residents woke up at 4 a.m. Wednesday morning to cracking basement walls and the scenario has continued to worsen for both the residents and the City of Benld. In addition to the 15 homes damaged, some beyond repair; the city’s infrastructure may be in jeopardy as a water main and a lift station are in the vicinity of the primary damage.

Methane gas was detected early Wednesday afternoon escaping from the underground mine, so Ameren immediately turned off power and gas for approximately 70 homes within the boundary of West Central, Dorsey, Illinois Route 4 and the railroad tracks to eliminate any possibly ignition points. Sewer lines in the affected area were also shut-off.

The Benld Civic Center is the area’s emergency center with food and shelter available during the emergency situation

Lynn Shehorn, Build Benld member, reported the ground was still shifting Thursday morning with methane gas still present despite Ameren using a “negative pressure machine” in an attempt to remove the gas. Power company authorities are assessing methane levels inside houses Thursday on a residence-by-residence basis to determine if power can be restored.

The Benld Civic Center is the area’s emergency center with food and shelter available during the current emergency situation. Chicken and deli meat was served by the city Wednesday night at the civic center for affected residents, police personnel and additional authorities working in the city.

Donuts, coffee and water were served Thursday morning at 9 a.m. with volunteers from the community and Build Benld walking the affected southwest side of Benld with the same food and drink items for residents who remained in their homes and emergency personnel on-scene. The Benld Public Library is open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. for anyone that needs to charge personal devices.

The Red Cross is coordinating meals being provided at the Benld Civic Center while Build Benld requested salad and side dishes to accompany the meals. Cash donations for food and supplies can be made or taken to Randy’s Market or Build Benld. Volunteer assistance is also accepted with volunteers asked to report to the civic center.

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Thunderstorms, winds, snow, freezing rain coming to BenGil area

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Another major winter storm is forecasted to blanket the BenGil area in heavy rains, flooding and snowfall starting Wednesday night through Thursday.

The mixture of precipitation and rapidly changing weather likely will produce the potential for sudden icing on roads, with high winds leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility.

“The Illinois Department of Transportation’s snow-and-ice teams will be prepared and out in force, but the public needs to be ready for conditions to change quickly and worsen if they are out on the roads,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “As always during periods of extreme weather, the safest option is to postpone any unnecessary trips and stay home. If you must travel, prepare for very slow and potentially hazardous conditions. And please slow down around our plows and other emergency vehicles, giving them plenty of room to do their jobs.”

The National Weather Service is predicting a wintry mix of precipitation to start with thunderstorms and heavy rain in much of the state this evening, converting to freezing rain overnight before turning to snow Thursday morning. In addition to localized flooding, ice and sleet accumulations are likely, creating extremely slippery surfaces and slick conditions.

Due to the rainy conditions ahead of temperatures falling overnight, the effectiveness of pretreating and salting surfaces in advance of significant snowfall will be limited. The public should anticipate icy conditions even when roads appear clear and greatly reduce speeds. 

“As the Illinois State Police plans to take on the unpredictable Illinois weather, we would like to remind motorists to do their part in keeping the roads a safe place,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly.  “ISP, alongside IDOT and other agencies, will be working in hazardous weather conditions. Please remember to slow down, stay vigilant and move over for ANY vehicle on the side of the road.”

Statewide, IDOT has available more than 1,800 trucks and equipment to plow, treat roads and respond to weather emergencies. If you encounter a plow or any maintenance vehicle during your travels, please slow down, increase your following distance and remain patient. Do not attempt to pass – conditions in front of the plow will be worse than behind it.

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Police investigating death of Bunker Hill woman

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Police are investigating the death of a Bunker Hill woman who was found dead at the end of her driveway near the roadway on Monday morning, January 31.

Nancy Blycker, 91, had multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call to the 2900 block of Wood Hill Lane around 7:40 a.m. on Monday.

The initial suspicion was homicide, according to a release by the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis who said approximately 20 investigators were working the investigation, but the autopsy contradicted that suspicion.

The Major Case Squad said on Tuesday it is “highly unlikely” Blycker’s death was the “result of homicidal means.”

The Major Case Squad turned the case back over to the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department. The official cause of death is pending further lab analysis.

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Winter storm warning issued for BenGil area

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The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the BenGil area, southwestern Illinois, and the St. Louis area.

The warning was issued early Tuesday taking effect at midnight tonight until noon on Thursday, February 3 calling for a “wet, heavy” snow. The forecast also calls for ice prompting a warning about possible power outages.

“All indications continue to point to a disruptive, impactful, and dangerous winter storm impacting the region starting late tonight and lasting through Thursday night,” the National Weather Service said in its Area Forecast Discussion.

The BenGil area is expected to receive heavy mixed precipitation including snow accumulations between 6 and 10 inches, sleet accumulations around three-quarters of an inch, and ice accumulations around two-tenths of an inch. Wind gusts will be as high as 35 mph on Thursday.

The storm is expected to start with rain most of the day today before transitioning into a mixture of freezing rain and/or sleet Tuesday night, then all snow Wednesday morning or as late as Wednesday afternoon continuing until about noon on Thursday.

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