Travel advisory reduced to level 3

Thursday, December 27, 2012
Those who braved the snow moved slowly on Indianapolis Road on the east side of Greencastle on Wednesday. With snow no longer falling and many roads in the city and county plowed, the Putnam County EMA reduced the travel advisory to a level 3 on Thursday morning, meaning travel was restricted only in certain areas where roads were still hazardous. (Photo by ERIC BERNSEE)

As activities return to normal the day after a winter storm dropped several inches of snow on the area, the Putnam County Emergency Management Agency reduced the restrictions on travel in the county.

Emergency Management director Tom Helmer announced Thursday morning the county's status has changed to a level 3 restriction.

A level 3 restriction, also referred to as the advisory level, means routine travel or activities may be restricted in certain areas because of a hazardous situation. Citizens should use caution or avoid these areas.

For local travelers, the areas in question include county roads that have not been fully plowed and treated.

County highway officials spent Wednesday attempting to keep main roads open and saved their concentration on secondary roads until Thursday, when the storm had stopped.

As more roads are cleared, EMA officials will continue to monitor the situation to see if any further change in the advisory level is needed.

Trash collectors from Republic Services also spent Thursday playing catch-up following a day off for Christmas and another for Wednesday's storm.

Republic had two trucks serving city routes on Thursday, which officials estimated would catch them up in the city. Routes outside the city were saved for Friday.

Snow accumulation from Wednesday's storm fell far short of meteorologist estimates in Putnam County. While as much as a foot of snow was predicted, unofficial totals from around the county fall between 3 and 6 inches of snow.

An unofficial total from east of Greencastle estimated 3 to 5 inches in the area, depending on the wind.

Heavily hit areas in Southern Indiana received more than a foot of snow from Wednesday's storm.

This map from the National Weather Service shows the snow depths around Indiana.

According to the National Weather Service, additional snow is possible in Putnam County on Friday afternoon and evening, but no level of accumulation was predicted as of Thursday afternoon.

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