County remains under level 1 weather emergency

Tuesday, February 1, 2011 ~ Updated 7:47 AM

GREENCASTLE -- Putnam County in now under a level 1 weather emergency.

A level one emergency restricts travel to emergency personnel only.

Putnam County emergnency management director Kim Hyten confirmed the level 1 warning remained in effect as of 7:30 Wednesday morning. This runs contrary to erroneous information from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security's website and in the Indianapolis news media, which still puts Putnam County under a level 2 emergency.

The level 1 warning went into effect at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

"The roads are definitely treacherous as far as I'm concerned," Hyten said. "Even the state roads are treacherous."

While this declaration only applies to county roads, officials in both Greencastle and Cloverdale have recommended that citizens in town abide by the same restrictions.

"If you're out of something at home and it's not essential, do not worry about it," Hyten said.

The Putnam County Courthouse, Courthouse Annex and Greencastle City Hall will be closed Wednesday.

South Putnam, Cloverdale schools, North Putnam, Greencastle schools and Area 30 Career Center are closed Wednesday. Additionally, Ivy Tech is closed Wednesday and DePauw remains closed until 7 a.m. Thursday.

In addition to the closures, the county now has two emergency shelters for residents without power.

The American Red Cross has established an emergency shelter at South Putnam High School. Those seeking shelter at the school should bring their own bedding, clothing, toiletries, medicine and any special dietary needs.

Water and snacks will be provided Tuesday night at the school, and the Red Cross is contacting local churches to inquire about providing breakfast on Wednesday.

Additionally, the National Guard Armory in Greencastle is also available as a temporary shelter. They will take walk-ins and can also assist in coming to get those who need transportation.

As a temporary shelter, the armory will provide shelter until the weather breaks, at which time residents will be transported to an emergency facility such as the shelter at South Putnam or somewhere nearby.

Hyten said that while roads are restricted for emergency use only, citizens seeking emergency shelter could proceed with caution.

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  • Icetrena this is bad n going to get worst when temp drops to 2 degrees thursday.... wheres fema when u need them.....

    -- Posted by tru story on Tue, Feb 1, 2011, at 11:23 PM
  • thats not what this site is saying:

    http://www.in.gov/ai/appfiles/dhs-countyMap/dhsCountyMap.html (as time of writing)

    Putnam County: "Watch/Orange Level - only essential Travel is recommended" and not "Warning/Red - Travel may be restricted to emergency personnel only"

    -- Posted by think-tank on Tue, Feb 1, 2011, at 11:40 PM
  • think-tank, as of 5:20 am the same site still says "Orange". Evidently Putnam County Emergency Management Agency hasn't contacted the Indiana Dept of Homeland Security or IDHS has dropped the ball.

    -- Posted by NotSoInnocent on Wed, Feb 2, 2011, at 5:27 AM
  • That's it! I'm shutting my power off and heading to South Putnam for the free snacks.

    -- Posted by DefiantToo on Wed, Feb 2, 2011, at 5:42 AM
  • Such petty comments above! We should be thankful that our town/county is doing what they think is best of everyone overall. The personnel who are preparing snacks at these facilities need to be commended. Thanks Putnam County for caring. Whether it be red or orange - I hope we do not hear of anyone stranded out in this mess. I also hope that the comments made above do not come back to bite you.

    -- Posted by Nit on Wed, Feb 2, 2011, at 7:39 AM
  • Well, in my opinion, the comments were not petty. I think it would be a disservice for not making a comment about a system that somewhere, someone has dropped the ball. While this weather event hasn't been the end of the world, if the problem is not corrected or people are not made aware that there is a problem that needs to be corrected how are they supposed to fix it? If the problem is not corrected and something more "major" happens maybe there would be many, many people stranded or in harms way. As far as I can tell no one commented on the personnel making snacks, but some people need to have/get a sense of humor.

    -- Posted by NotSoInnocent on Wed, Feb 2, 2011, at 9:26 AM
  • So it's illegal under state law to be out on the road under a Warning, but if you live in town it's not going to be enforced? Am I reading that correctly? Serious question as our payday was Tuesday and I need to go grocery shopping if we're going to feed my family tonight and going forward.

    -- Posted by miraclemom3 on Wed, Feb 2, 2011, at 10:56 AM
  • Road restrictions are based on county declarations only!

    -- Posted by kubotafan on Wed, Feb 2, 2011, at 11:57 AM
  • I drive to work. then find out that we are on a level 1. I'm coming home ay way.

    -- Posted by driver on Wed, Feb 2, 2011, at 5:24 PM
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