MENDOTA- A winter storm that began as freezing rain ended with snow and high winds gusting upwards of 45 mph. Over 30 motorists were rescued by emergency crews on Illinois 251 between Peru and Mendota Thursday night as white out conditions made the road impassable. The Illinois Department of Transportation closed the highway around 7 PM. The cold front behind the storm brought a blast of arctic air, bringing with it dangerous wind chills. Most north and south roads in rural areas will be in poor condition, but interstates in the area were open as of Friday morning.
