City of Columbus salt and plow trucks are shown at the city’s Department of Public Works earlier this year.
With a major winter storm and blast of arctic air forecast just ahead of one of the busiest travel times of the year, local officials are advising residents and travelers to keep a close eye on the latest forecast and take precautions.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service called for rain Thursday, likely changing to freezing rain and snow Thursday night, with snow likely Friday in Bartholomew County and south-central Indiana.
Local officials monitoring the storm Tuesday said the track of a low pressure system to the west is uncertain and made forecasting accumulation totals difficult, but bitter cold is expected to arrive Thursday night with a low around 0 degrees. The forecast high on Friday is 7 degrees with dangerously low wind chills, possibly as low as 25 degrees below zero. Dangerous arctic air is expected to linger through Sunday.
Bartholomew County emergency services officials urged residents to prepare for potential travel impacts and power outages, and to bring animals inside if possible or provide adequate shelter, food, and fresh (unfrozen) water for livestock.
Key precautions include keeping phones charged, having extra batteries for flashlights in the event of a power outage, and having an emergency vehicle kit in your car if you must travel. The kit should include blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight, jumper cables, a small shovel, sand and a first aid kit.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for areas of Indiana including Indianapolis and areas north, as well as parts of western Indiana, including Terre Haute. Farther north, potential blizzard conditions are forecast for Chicago and Great Lakes area.
Local officials said they would continue to monitor the storm provide updates as new information is available.
