Winter storm watch in effect for Thursday
Updated: Jan 19, 2011 1:24 PM EST Wednesday, January 19, 2011 1:24 PM EST
Indianapolis – A winter storm watch is in effect for much of central Indiana Thursday.
Snow will move into the Indianapolis metro area after midnight Wednesday, especially across western parts of central Indiana.
Three to six inches of snow are possible by Thursday evening with the heaviest amounts expected south of I-70. Winds will increase Thursday night and may cause some blowing and drifting of the snow.
Below-zero wind chills are expected at times from Thursday night into Saturday morning.
Indy Snow Force is getting ready for the predicted snowfall. Workers will load salt into the trucks and fuel up the snow trucks before the snow falls. Eighty Indy Snow Force drivers will report to work at 11:00 pm for a 12-hour shift. Indy Snow Force will continue the full callout when the shift changes Thursday at 11:00 am.
Crews will salt the roads and bridges with “Clear Lane,” a salt treated with magnesium chloride. This helps to create a barrier between the pavement and snow so ice doesn’t form beneath the snow.
Indy Snow Force will plow more than 6,000 lane miles of the City’s primary and secondary streets. It may take up to two hours to plow a single snow route. Some snow can accumulate on a lane before trucks rerun the route.
Drivers are encouraged to be careful, reduce their speed, allow ample time to arrive at their designation and give Indy Snow Force drivers plenty of room to salt and plow the streets.
During a heavy snowfall of 6″ or more, outside contractors will help Indy Snow Force remove snow in residential areas.
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
Citizens with disabilities, or those who may need medical, or health–related assistance, such as transportation, or medication pick-up, should please contact Connect 2 Help at 211, or 926 – HELP (926 – 4357). Residents may also visit http://www.Connect2Help.org for more information.
Call the Indy Snow Force Cold line, the City’s hotline for up to date snow removal information at (317) 327-8000 for further updates or to report emergency snow or ice conditions.
