Putnamville troopers busy with snowfall complications

PUTNAMVILLE -- Sunday's snowfall spawned perilous travel conditions across Putnam County and throughout west-central Indiana as all roadways were reported snow-covered slick and hazardous.

Interstate 70 was the main trouble area with multiple slide-offs and vehicle crashes reported by Indiana State Police troopers at the Putnamville Post.

One officer could be heard over the police scanner commenting that road conditions on the interstate were the worst he had ever seen.

Jackknifed semi causes problems Sunday afternoon along Interstate 70 in the Putnamville District.

Ramps to and from the interstate at U.S. 231 and I-70 were said to be nearly impassable at mid-afternoon Sunday as cars and semis were either hung up in deep snow or sliding out of control.

Between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, Putnamville troopers responded to 26 vehicles slide-offs and five vehicle crashes, which include three jack-knife tractor-trailers.

In general, traffic on I-70 was reportedly moving slowly and ISP officials urged motorists to use extreme caution.

Troopers reportedly transported a number of motorists stranded along Interstate 70 to local motels.

The Putnamville District has dramatically increased patrols over the next 48 hours by canceling troopers' days off and utilizing administrative enforcement personnel.

Motorists were strongly urged to travel only if necessary as the predicted one-two punch of heavy snow was to be followed by arctic-like conditions

The National Weather Service is predicting a blustery north wind at 10-15 mph, increasing to 20- 25 mph. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

A wind chill warning is in place with a prolonged period of dangerously cold wind chills expected with the most extreme wind chills likely to occur overnight and continue through Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.

A period of wind chills lower than 30 below zero was predicted with wind chills of 40-50 below zero late Sunday night through Tuesday morning.

Indiana State Police are asking that anyone who has plans to go out in the next 24 to 48 hours please rethink your trip. While the Indiana Department of Transportation has been working tirelessly and non-stop throughout the period, road conditions can deteriorate rapidly.

For road condition updates persons may call 1-800-261-ROAD or visit http://indot.carsprogram.org/main.jsf.