By Arthur Foulkes
Road crews were preparing for the worst Monday as weather forecasters predicted a big snowfall for central Indiana, including Vigo County.
Terre Haute could receive up to 6 inches of snow between today and Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis.
“We’ve got the equipment ready,” said Jerry Lindsay, Vigo County highway superintendent. The county has 12 drivers ready to cover 1,700 “lane miles” of county roads, he said. Motorists should remain patient and be aware of possible drifting snow, Lindsay added.
The snow was expected to start early this morning and continue through Wednesday morning. Strong winds were expected to complicate already-hazardous driving conditions during the storm, according to the weather service.
The City of Terre Haute was also preparing Monday for the coming storm, said Brad Miller, city transportation director. Beginning late Monday, snow plow drivers were expected to begin working 12-hour shifts, he said.
Blowing snow, which the National Weather Service predicts could become a big problem this evening, also has city and county road crews concerned.
“Wind could be our biggest problem,” Lindsay said. Blowing snow can cause snow to cover roads that have already been cleared, city and county officials said.
The National Weather Service is warning motorists to only travel in cases of emergency. If travel is necessary, the weather service urges motorists to keep a spare flashlight, food and water in their vehicles.
Miller also reminds motorists to follow well behind snow plows and to avoid parking on main roadways to make it easier for crews to clear the roads.
The storm is the result of two different storm systems that converged over central Indiana on Monday night. Heavy snow was expected early this morning and again this evening. Then additional snowfall was forecast for Wednesday morning. Strong winds could make travel “extremely difficult” during the storm, according to the National Weather Service.
For more information on this storm, see the National Weather Service Web site, www.weather.gov/ind.
Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
