Uploaded February 2011 | Updated September 2026, 13 hours ago
Annotations added. Sorry for the delay, folks.
The long version: during and aftermath.
This is video of the Northwest Suburbs of the Chicago Blizzard 2011 shot minutes after midnight Feb. 2, 2011. White-out conditions, too much snow made traveling impossible. Work told me to take off early. I managed to get home without a lot of fuss.
We were warned to hit the roads as early as possible getting home, and stay off the roads by 4pm. Many people failed or didn't listen to the warning. Lake Shore drive was shut down due to strong winds up to 70MPH, creating white-out conditions. After numerous accidents occurred, they finally shut down Lake Shore Drive. Motorists & buses were stranded. One bus driver freaked out and yelled "We're all gonna die!" Bus riders flew out to seek shelter.
We were told to stay at home and use the roads only if in emergency. In some villages, you had to be guided by a police officer. Major roads were partially plowed to allow one-lane out of the two-lane, two-way roads. None of the side streets were plowed until the late evening.
Annotations added. Sorry for the delay, folks.
The long version: during and aftermath.
This is video of the Northwest Suburbs of the Chicago Blizzard 2011 shot minutes after midnight Feb. 2, 2011. White-out conditions, too much snow made traveling impossible. Work told me to take off early. I managed to get home without a lot of fuss.
We were warned to hit the roads as early as possible getting home, and stay off the roads by 4pm. Many people failed or didn't listen to the warning. Lake Shore drive was shut down due to strong winds up to 70MPH, creating white-out conditions. After numerous accidents occurred, they finally shut down Lake Shore Drive. Motorists & buses were stranded. One bus driver freaked out and yelled "We're all gonna die!" Bus riders flew out to seek shelter.
We were told to stay at home and use the roads only if in emergency. In some villages, you had to be guided by a police officer. Major roads were partially plowed to allow one-lane out of the two-lane, two-way roads. None of the side streets were plowed until the late evening.
