Naptown Buzz

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National Weather Service

Indy Snow Force Drivers Treating Roads Sunday

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With forecasts including snowfall on Sunday, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) will call out a full shift of Snow Force drivers starting Saturday at 11 p.m. Crews will remain on the roadways until 11 p.m. Sunday night; leadership will monitor weather conditions to extend Indy DPW’s response as needed.

Motorists are urged to drive with care during wintry conditions, especially on bridge overpasses, hills, or locations known to become slippery. Remember to leave home with plenty of time to safely reach your destination, allow plenty of clearance near other vehicles, and keep at least three car lengths’ distance between your vehicle and Snow Force trucks.

Residents can stay up to date on Indy Snow Force efforts during winter weather events online at indy.gov/DPW and on Twitter by following @IndySnowForce.

The Indy Snow Force Viewer mapping tool will be activated during this winter weather event. Residents can use the tool to monitor where crews have recently plowed snow or treated roadways.

INDOT Has Deployed 100 Trucks for Snow Storm

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West Central Indiana – With 1 to 4 inches of snow likely across West Central Indiana from Saturday after midnight through midday Sunday, the Indiana Department of Transportation will mobilize over 100 trucks to treat and plow state highways across the region as needed to keep routes safe for travel.

Crews will begin to arrive during the early morning hours tonight.

Motorists should remember to slow down, don’t tailgate, and give plow truck drivers ample room to work.

Monitor road conditions at 511in.org .

POSTPONED: Indy Area 2020 NWS Skywarn Spotter Training

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UPDATE


The National Weather Service Indianapolis will be holding free Spotter Training Sessions this spring around central Indiana. The Indianapolis Area dates are listed below. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/ind/spotter_talks for up-to-date information.

Wednesday, March 4

Marion County
6 pm – 8 pm
Regional Operations Center – 201 N. Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46219 (map)

Thursday, March 5

Johnson County
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Johnson County Sheriffs Training Center – 1061 Hospital Rd., Franklin, IN 46131 (map)

Saturday, March 7

Hamilton County
9 am – 11 am
Carmel-Clay Middle School 5150 E. 126th Street, Carmel, IN 46033 (map)

Tuesday, March 10

Boone County
6 pm – 8 pm
515 Crown Pointe Dr #8335, Lebanon, IN 46052 (map)

Thursday, March 12

Morgan County
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Morgan County – 1050 Lincoln Hill Rd, Martinsville, IN 46151 (map)

Morgan Co EMA says “If you are interested in attending, please email tfraker@morgancounty.in.gov to reserve your seat.”

Saturday, March 14

Hendricks County
11 am – 1 pm
Hendricks County Gov’t Center – 355 S. Washington St., Danville, IN 46122 (map)

Tuesday, March 17

Madison County
7 pm – 9 pm
York Performance Hall and Galleries, University Blvd, Anderson, IN 46012, USA (map)

Monday, March 23

Shelby County
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Shelbyville Fire Station 1 – 40 West Broadway St., Shelbyville, IN 46176 (map)

Wednesday, March 25

IUPUI Spotter Training
2 pm – 4 pm
IUPUI – IUPUI Campus Center, 420 University Blvd., Room 309, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (map)

Weather and spotter training for IUPUI and public.

Parking: Vermont Street Visitor Garage, 1004 W. Vermont St. (Fee to park)

Monday, April 6

Hancock County
7 pm – 9 pm
Ninestar Connect – 2243 E. Main St., Greenfield, IN 46140 (map)

It’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week, Statewide Tornado Drills Tuesday, March 21, 2017 #INwx

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Indiana has endured 32 tornadoes since August of last year. As a part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security is encouraging Hoosiers to take steps to prepare for tornadoes and participate in the statewide tornado drill on Tuesday, March 21.

The drills will be at 10:10 a.m. and 7:35 p.m. A test of the Emergency Alert System will sound both in the morning and evening on commercial radio, television networks and all-hazard radios.

Although Indiana has experienced a rash of tornadoes in the last nine months, the statewide tornado drill brings to attention that March, April and May are Indiana’s most severe tornado months. The statewide drills provide an excellent opportunity for families, schools and businesses to practice their weather safety action plan.

At Work or School

Finding suitable shelter is an important aspect to preparing for severe weather, especially tornadoes. Since many Hoosiers will be going about their day during the morning drill, it is important to know where to take shelter at the workplace or school. Check to see if there is a severe weather plan, and locate the designated safety area. If there is no designated location, identify an interior area on the lowest level of the building, away from windows to take shelter.

At Home

For those living in homes or apartment buildings, residents should take shelter in the lowest level of the building, away from exterior windows and doors. Permanent structures are best for shelter during a tornado, especially a basement. Knowing which room or area of the home is the safest during a storm can help keep those in the home out of harm’s way.

If living in a mobile home or similar structure, it is important to plan ahead. Manufactured buildings often can’t stand up to the wind speed and pressure, and are not safe shelters during a tornado. Hoosiers living in mobile homes or similar structures should talk to friends, family or neighbors to find a safe shelter in advance.

Stay Aware

To stay informed during severe weather situations, it is recommended that all Hoosiers have a working all-hazard (weather) radio in their homes. Ensure that the radio has working backup batteries in the event of a power outage, as the radio might be the only way to receive weather updates.

Some severe storms may occur overnight during normal sleeping hours. As such, it is important to take precautions in advance of severe weather, in the event that immediate action is needed.

  • Consider turning up the volume on cell phone notifications.
  • Be familiar with the notification settings of weather apps.
  • Have an all-hazards (weather) radio near the bed or sleeping area.
  • Keep the weather radio turned on at a volume loud enough that alerts can be heard while sleeping.
  • Overnight alerts could provide important details about severe weather, with safety precautions to follow.
  • If devices such as phones and laptops are charging overnight, be sure they are plugged into a surge protector.
  • For more severe weather safety tips, visit GetPrepared.in.gov.

SOURCE: Indiana Department of Homeland Security