Mike Wolanin | The Republic A City of Columbus snowplow clears the intersection of 12th Street and McClure Road in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. A winter storm dropped over a foot of snow across Columbus and Bartholomew County.
Bartholomew County will remain under a Warning (Red) Travel Status until at least Tuesday morning, meaning travel will be restricted to emergency personnel only and should be avoided, according to public officials.
The county has been under a Warning Travel Advisory since Sunday morning after over a foot of snow fell over the weekend, and that will continue to be the case until city, county and emergency management officials meet again at 8 a.m. Tuesday to re-evaluate the conditions.
Bartholomew County received snow accumulation ranging from 13 to 16 inches, per Bartholomew County Emergency Management (BCEM).
A Warning Travel Advisory is the highest designation. Community members are directed to refrain from all travel, comply with necessary emergency measures and obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.
Officials met at 2 p.m. on Monday to re-evaluate the county’s travel status based on the latest information, and determined that the county’s travel status should remain under a Warning.
Crews tasked with clearing the snow from roadways focused on main roads first, including 25th Street, Central Avenue, 10th Street, County Road 450 South, Southern Crossing and other high-traffic corridors, along with areas around the hospital, fire stations, law enforcement facilities, and other critical public safety locations. Today, crews transitioned to working on side streets and neighborhood roads.
In terms of who is in charge of plowing different roads, INDOT is responsible for numbered state and federal roads including I-65 and U.S. 31; the Bartholomew County Highway Department is in charge of county roads outside incorporated areas such as County Road 200E and County Line Road; and the city’s Department of Public Works plows main and side streets within the city limits that are not designated state and federal roads.
Given the historic amount of snow, officials are asking community members to be patient, noting how the sheer amount of snow and limited working spaces make the response more challenging. In addition, extreme cold temperatures reduce the effectiveness of treatment materials. Crew will continue working until all streets are fully cleared.
A thin layer of snow or ice may remain on some roadways, especially in shaded or less-traveled areas, so people are asked to use extra caution, slow down, and allow extra stopping distance when driving.
Other important notes:
- A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect through 7 p.m. today for wind chills down to -20°
- An Extreme Cold Warning is in effect through 9 a.m. Tuesday with wind chills of -20° to -25°
- Additional dangerous wind chills are possible later this week
- Arctic air arriving late this week will be reinforced by multiple Arctic cold fronts next week, prolonging the cold conditions
- Protect pipes from freezing. Open cabinet doors around plumbing, let cold water drip from the faucets, wrap insulation around pipes in unheated areas
- Limit time outdoors, dress in layers, and check on vulnerable neighbors and pets
- Prepare your vehicle with winter safety supplies
- Check emergency kits and have extra food, water, and medications
People are able to check road conditions with the INDOT Trafficwise Map at 511in.org and statewide travel advisories at in.gov/dhs/travel-advisory-map/.
