LAKE COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces the emergency closure of I-65 again. The interstate will be closed, both northbound and southbound, between U.S. 30 (Merrillville) and mile marker 172 (Lafayette). Deteriorating weather conditions brought upon the closure, including blowing snow with zero visibility, snow drifts, and icy surfaces. This closure is for the safety of motorists. There is no timeframe for when I-65 will reopen.

I-94, which closed in tandem with I-65 last night, will remain open.

Drivers in Northwest Indiana can monitor road closures, road conditions, and traffic alerts at any time via the District’s social media channels: www.Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest or Twitter @INDOTNorthwest. Or visit http://www.trafficwise.in.gov for INDOT’s TrafficWise Traveler Information Service.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Matt Deitchley, INDOT Northwest District
(219) 325-7526 (desk)
(219) 363-4946 (cell)
mdeitchley@indot.IN.gov

Motorists should evaluate the need to travel anywhere in the state over the next couple of days as temperatures have fallen below zero. Add wind to the extremely frigid temperatures and wind chills are forecast to reach anywhere from 30 to 40 below zero at times with blowing snow and blizzard like conditions.

As of 8:00 a.m. this morning, although the snowfall has tapered off to mostly flurries across the state, most of Indiana is snow covered with the heaviest accumulations in northern Indiana. The following is a list of roads currently closed:

• I-80/94 east and westbound from U.S. 421 (34 mile marker) to the Illinois State Line (0 mile marker)
• I-65 north and southbound from State Road 26 (172 mile marker) to U.S. 30 (253 mile marker); and
• US 35/SR 22 in Howard County is closed from US 31 E to SR 13 in Grant County

Road conditions in central Indiana remain hazardous as INDOT crews have been out around the clock statewide working to keep roads passable.

Road conditions are only slightly better throughout southern Indiana where snow accumulations were less than in the central and northern parts of the state. However, there are still many areas where snow and ice conditions make for very hazardous travel.

The Indiana State Police advise travel in counties under a red travel advisory should only be for emergency purposes. To see the current travel status in your county, click here: http://www.in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory/. Travel in these counties is extremely hazardous and should be avoided unless there is a LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY that requires the need to travel.

If it becomes necessary to travel, make sure you are prepared by following these tips:

• Tell someone where you are going, your route of travel, and your expected arrival time.
• Also tell that person your vehicle color, year, make, and license plate number.
• Allow plenty of extra time to travel
• Make sure your car is full of fuel and refuel when your gauge indicates a half tank
• Pack an emergency kit in the trunk consisting of:
o Extra blankets/coats/hats/gloves
o Working flashlight and extra batteries
o Some bottled water
o High energy, non perishable snacks such as nuts, granola bars, etc.
o A candle and some matches
o Emergency flares

• Have fully charged cell phone or bring along a phone charger for the car
• Keep some sand or “kitty litter” in your trunk help provide some traction should your car
• get stuck
• Carry a shovel

If you become stranded along the roadway, remain with your car unless you can see a house or business that is only a short distance away. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR TO “LOOK” FOR HELP. Tie a brightly colored flag or other material on the antenna. Run your car’s engine for 15-20 minutes per hour just to keep warm and make sure the exhaust pipe stays clear of snow or other obstructions. An idling engine generally will only burn about one gallon of fuel per hour. While your car is running, turn on all lights and honk your horn to attract attention. Make sure to shut off all lights and other electrical components and avoid honking your horn while the engine is off to conserve battery power. CALL 911.

Please avoid calling state, county, and local law enforcement dispatch centers for road and weather updates. Instead, tune into your local radio station, favorite TV news channel, or call the statewide road and weather line at 800-261-7623. This Indiana State Police link http://www.in.gov/isp/2332.htm will take you to an overview page that includes these useful links:
• Situational Awareness for Current Winter Storm
• TrafficWise
• INDOT Road and Weather Sensors
• National Weather Service
• IDHS County Travel Status Map

FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION FROM THE INDIANA STATE POLICE ON THE WINTER STORM, visit our webpagehttp://www.in.gov/isp/3096.htm. This page reads and flows like a blog page. This will continue to be updated for the duration of the storm over the next few days.

 

With impending snow accumulation, the Indiana State Fire Marshal is requesting citizens to clear snow from fire hydrants as part of the snow removal for their properties.
“As you’re clearing your driveway and sidewalks, it’s always appreciated when fire hydrants are kept clear of snow,” said Jim Greeson, Indiana State Fire Marshal. “It saves a lot of time when it comes to locating and using a fire hydrant in time of a fire.”
Greeson adds that snow accumulation or the results of plowing and snow clearing can completely cover or restrict access to fire hydrants.
“A blocked hydrant can mean slower response to extinguishing fires and only takes a few minutes,” said Greeson. “Help your neighbors and your local firefighters. A fire hydrant blocked or covered by snow can result in time lost fighting fire and dire consequences to a homeowner or business owner.”
Greeson adds that snow accumulation or the results of plowing and snow clearing can completely cover or restrict access to fire hydrants.
Snow removal tips
• Adopt a fire hyrdrant to keep an eye on.
• Make it a regular part of a snow clearing routing.
• Clear a path to fire hydrants from the road.
• Remove snow from all sides so it is visible from the road, and easily accessible for a fire hose.
Greeson also reminds those removing snow to take frequent breaks and to avoid snow removal until conditions are safe. For more information, go to GetPrepared.IN.gov.

In 2014, the Evansville Police Department Merit Commission will hold regular meetings on the 2^nd and 4^th Monday of each month, beginning at 2:00pm.  The meetings will be held in the Personnel and Training Conference Room, Room 129 of the Civic Center Complex.   Under I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1, meetings will begin with a closed Executive Session and then will be open to the public, following the close of the Executive Session.

You will be notified at least 48 hours in advance of any changes to this schedule throughout the year.

Any questions regarding the Police Merit Commission meetings or schedule should be directed to Sgt. Doug Schneider, Liaison to the Police Merit Commission at 812.436.4950 or dschneider@evansvillepolice.com.

EPD Activity Report: January 4, 2014

The below information is being forwarded as a courtesy on behalf of the Joint Information Center in Indianapolis as part of the continued monitoring of the winter storm.

INDIANAPOLIS – Motorists are strongly encouraged to take steps to avoid getting stuck when crashes or snow drifts close Hoosier roads. With snow falling at a rate of an inch or more per hour, to be followed by blowing and drifting snow, your vehicle may not be able to move once the road is reopened. If it is safe to do so, drivers are urged to turn around or find an alternate route to the closest safe shelter.

The Indiana Department of Transportation has a full deployment of yellow trucks plowing and treating the interstates, U.S. highways and state routes in the hardest hit portions of Indiana. While the trucks are effective in plowing accumulating and drifting snow, drivers need to do their part to keep the roads open so the plow trucks can do their job. INDOT’s trucks cannot plow through parked or stopped vehicles.

Governor Mike Pence has activated 24 Highway Assistance Teams with the Indiana National Guard, consisting of 96 individuals, to rescue stranded motorists and assist local EMS in reaching individuals who need medical attention. Each team has four individuals and two vehicles.

Drivers are strongly encouraged to not put themselves, local emergency medical services, the National Guard or other public safety professionals in harm’s way. Please listen to and follow county travel advisories to stay off the roads, both during the storm and during the blowing and drifting predicted to follow the storm.

The Indiana State Police and other law enforcement agencies encourage the public to keep phone lines open for emergencies. Road conditions are available at http://indot.carsprogram.org/ or by dialing toll-free 800-261-ROAD (7623). For up-to-date county travel statuses, Hoosiers are encouraged to visit http://www.in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory/.

FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION FROM THE INDIANA STATE POLICE ON THE WINTER STORM, visit our webpagehttp://www.in.gov/isp/3096.htm. This page reads and flows like a blog page. This will continue to be updated for the duration of the storm over the next few days.