Low pressure developed over the southern Plains, spreading widespread heavy precipitation across southern Illinois. At the same time, high pressure over the upper Ohio Valley produced a cold easterly wind flow. The result was a crippling ice storm. Around one inch of ice caused extensive damage across far southern Illinois, along and south of a line from Carbondale and Marion to Harrisburg and Carmi. Many of those same areas received three to six inches of sleet and snow. The most destructive icing occurred in an east to west band across Union, Johnson, Massac, and Pope Counties. The state designated most counties in southern Illinois as a disaster area. Numerous trees and power lines were brought down, knocking out power to many thousands of homes. Power outages lasted up to a week. An indirect fatality occurred in Carbondale, where an elderly man died of carbon monoxide poisoning while operating a gasoline generator in his garage. Three carbon monoxide poisonings were reported in Christopher. All three victims, who were from the same family, were not seriously injured. Emergency shelters were established for those without power for extended periods. Schools were closed for a week in some counties. Trees and tree limbs fell across roads, complicating recovery efforts. A number of houses and other structures were damaged by falling trees. The roof of a bakery and bread store in Herrin collapsed under the weight of the ice and snow. The walls of the store bowed out due to the collapse, and the structure was deemed a total loss. Ferne Clyffe State Park, Tunnel Hill State Bike Trail, and the Trail of Tears State Forest were closed for the remainder of the month due to widespread tree damage. Minor damage occurred to facilities and buildings in Ferne Clyffe State Park. To the north of the Marion, Carbondale, and Harrisburg areas, one to three inches of sleet and snow, and up to one-half inch of freezing rain occurred.

Winter Storm in PERRY, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 10:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in HAMILTON, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in WHITE, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 12:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in WABASH, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 12:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in FRANKLIN, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in EDWARDS, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 12:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in ALEXANDER, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 10:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Winter Storm in SALINE, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in MASSAC, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in UNION, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 10:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in WILLIAMSON, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 10:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in GALLATIN, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 12:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in PULASKI, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 10:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in HARDIN, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 12:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in JOHNSON, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in POPE, ILLINOIS
From 11-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 12-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter