The City of Mount Vernon and City of Lisbon have declared snow emergencies ahead of the coming winter storm expected to begin arriving Wednesday, Dec. 21. 
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police chief Doug Shannon reminded all that the snow and wind will create potential hazardous conditions for everyone, including emergency responders. 
“Please prepare yourselves and dress accordingly, take necessary precautions as frostbite may occur very quickly when exposed, take care of each other,” Shannon said. 
The snow emergency begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21 and lasts until 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24. 
Citizens are encouraged to make sure vehicles are not parked along designated emergency snow routes in both communities to assist crews in removing snow during the designated snow emergency. If contact can not be made with a vehicle’s owner, city crews may need to have the vehicles moved.    
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department and Lisbon City Halls will also be designated for warming shelters for anyone seeking to escape the cold. 
Mount Vernon City Hall, due to construction projects, is not being used as a warming shelter. 
Neither the police station or city hall locations are intended for overnight occupancy. If someone is in those locations and needs overnight occupancy, contact Chief Shannon. 
The National Weather Service of Quad Cities has noted that the amount of snow expected to fall between Wednesday and Thursday during the storm is currently unclear, as the path of the storm in the Quad Cities and Cedar Rapids region is still undetermined. Further to the west, the storm is expected to drop more than five inches in some areas.
The larger concern is the winds and below freezing temperatures following the storm. With wind chills in the negative digits, it is quick for items like frostbite or hypothermia to set in with prolonged exposure to outdoor temperatures without proper clothing. People are intended to dress in layers and cover as much skin as possible and limit their times outdoors as much as possible. 
Mount Vernon Schools District Offices have already announced plans to be closed Thursday, Dec. 22, and Friday, Dec. 23 ahead of the coming storm.