Travel Advisory Issued for Evansville, Vanderburgh County

(Evansville, IN) – Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and Vanderburgh County Commission President Marsha Abel have issued a precautionary Travel Advisory for the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, December 26, 2012 through 12:01 am. Thursday, December 27, 2012. The advisory may be lifted earlier, if conditions warrant.

The precautionary Travel Advisory means routine travel activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation. Motorists are advised to use extreme caution when traveling area roads and highways.

City and county government leaders, law enforcement officials and local emergency management personnel conducted a follow-up phone conference call Christmas night to include officials from Vectren and the American Red Cross in a review of weather emergency preparedness plans in advance of a significant weather event that will begin impacting the Tri-State Christmas night and throughout Wednesday. It was the second call of the day to discuss storm plans.

At last report, the blizzard was predicted to start as rain and eventually dump up to 9 inches of snow on the immediate Evansville area. Winds gusting to 40 mph will cause blowing snow and create occasional whiteout conditions, with the highest wind speeds expected between midnight and 6 a.m. Wednesday.

High winds coupled with heavy snows could topple tree limbs and impact power lines, creating hazardous driving conditions and power outages across the region. Vectren crews began staging Christmas Day in preparation for the storm. Power outages may be reported online at vectren.com/outage or at 800-227-1376.

Motorists traveling on state highways across the region can call the Indiana State Police to check on the latest current road conditions at 800-852-3970.

The American Red Cross of Southwest Indiana has emergency vehicles prepared to respond, if needed. Shelter supplies have also been prepared and are on standby.

City and county officials will continue to monitor the weather situation. A follow-up briefing may be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, if conditions warrant.