Snow emergency to be followed by bitter cold

Sunday, January 5, 2014
Banner Graphic/LAUREN BOUCHER
One unlucky Putnam County resident, who was on his way to work, got stuck coming up the hill on U.S. 231 near the Banner Graphic Sunday afternoon in the midst of the snowstorm. Putnam County Sheriff's Department Deputy Mike Downing along with help from one snow removal worker helped push the man's car up the remainder of the incline.

Mother Nature landed the first jab of a one-two punch Sunday, dropping up to an unofficial 10 inches of snow on the Putnam County area.

The knockout punch was promised beginning early Monday with sub-zero temperatures arriving accompanied by wicked wind chill numbers the likes of which haven't been seen locally in 20 years.

The excessive snow, falling since about 7 a.m. Sunday at a rate of an inch or 1.5 inches an hour, made traveling difficult and dangerous, resulting in Putnam County declaring a Level 1 Snow Emergency and travel warning shortly after 1 p.m.

A Level 1 declaration dictates that travel may be restricted to emergency personnel only.

Per the Department of Homeland Security and local authorities, Level 1 means "citizens are directed to refrain from all travel, comply with necessary emergency measures, cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing operations plans, and comply with the directions of properly identified officers."

Putnam County wasn't alone in ordering a Level 1 Snow Emergency on Sunday. Other area counties doing so were Parke, Hendricks, Montgomery, Fountain, Vermillion, Boone, Tipton, Clinton and Hamilton.

Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray, meanwhile, announced that city offices will be closed on Monday. City police, fire and utility department, of course, will still be operation.

"We have gone to a Level 1 Snow Emergency," she said, "with emergency vehicles only on the roads. To our citizens, please stay indoors, and if you are in need of assistance, please call emergency dispatch services for assistance."

By 3 p.m., a reported 11 inches of snow falling in Bainbridge was the highest total locally with Greencastle coming in at 9.1 inches unofficially.

Other snowfall totals included 13 inches in Jamestown, 11.5 in Lebanon, 9.8 in Terre Haute, 9.4 in Crawfordsville, 9.8 inches in Brownsburg, 9.1 at Indianapolis, 8.7 at Bloomington, and 7.5 inches at Avon.

Because of the major snow and anticipated extreme cold, an emergency shelter was opened Sunday at South Putnam High School for stranded travelers or those who might experience a power outage to keep warm overnight. A warming shelter was also planned at the Russellville Community Center.

DePauw University, meanwhile, canceled its Monday classes, postponing the start of Winter Term.

Greencastle Schools weren't scheduled to have students return to classes until Tuesday anyway, and no announcement of any change in the Tuesday schedule had been made by press time.

At least two power poles were reportedly struck by vehicles sliding off local roadways Sunday. One mishap occurred at U.S. 231 and County Road 100 North, while a second was reported in the Reelsville area.

Neither incident produced any extended power outage, authorities said. There were, however, reports of Parke County REMC customers in the Clinton Falls area being without power Sunday afternoon.

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  • I wonder how many babies will be born come September??

    -- Posted by donantonioelsabio on Mon, Jan 6, 2014, at 3:03 PM
  • Stay at home days with my own kiddo's :)

    -- Posted by BGTeach on Thu, Jan 9, 2014, at 12:53 PM
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