Bitterly Cold Temperatures, Strong Winds to Continue Through Tuesday
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) advises motorists that travel conditions tonight and tomorrow are expected to remain difficult, and they should abide by local travel advisories, avoiding travel if possible.
All counties in Northeast Indiana remain under a “Watch” or “Warning” status, limiting travel to essential or emergency purposes, respectively. To see an updated map of county travel advisories provided by each county’s emergency management agency, go to http://www.in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory.
Sunday’s heavy snow accumulations followed by sub-zero temperatures and strong sustained winds and gusts have created difficult driving conditions such as blowing, drifting and hard-pack ice hazards on most roadways. A full callout of INDOT plow crews will continue alternating 12-hour shifts as long as necessary to keep interstates, U.S. highways and state roads open and as safe as possible.
While crews are working hard and continue to make great efforts to improve state highway conditions, strong winds and sub-zero temperatures are expected to hinder progress through Tuesday. Hard-pack ice on roadways will continue to be problematic until at least Wednesday, when temperatures are expected to become more favorable for chemical melting agents and plows.
Those who must travel are asked to be prepared for these conditions before leaving, and to adjust driving behaviors in order to arrive at destinations safely. Crashes, slide-offs and traffic backups further hinder INDOT’s snow and ice removal efforts and jeopardize the safety of others. For winter driving safety tips, go to www.winterdrivingsafety.in.gov.
The Indiana State Police and other law enforcement agencies encourage the public to keep its phone lines open for emergencies and to access road conditions at http://indot.carsprogram.org/ or by dialing toll-free 800-261-ROAD (7623).
