Worst Snow In Years; Major Roads Should Be Clear By Tonight

Last updated on Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Includes list of roadway condition reports.
(UNDATED) - How much snow have you had? Some places in the listening area are reporting anywhere between 6 and 9 inches of snow accumulation in what is being described as the worst snow storm in 2 years.

Level 2 Snow Emergencies have been declared for Lawrence, Greene, Owen, Monroe, Brown and Jackson Counties.

Duke Energy is reporting widespread power outages, especially toward the south.

As of late this morning, more than 4,400 Crawford County residents are without power, Washington County is around 6,000 plus another 4,000 Jackson County REMC customers. Jackson County themselves have more than 1,400 people in the dark.

North Lawrence Water Authority is looking for the cause of a water outage in the Burkwood Hills Addition.

The icy weather has area law enforcement agencies on their toes. Bedford Police Chief Dennis Parsley tells WBIW News they have 4 marked and 1 unmarked 4 wheel drive vehicles on patrol in the Stone City.

Lawrence County Sheriff Sam Craig says his department has a total of 9 vehicles with 4-wheel drive capability available to them, and all their on-duty officers are using them. Chief Parsley says we haven't seen as many slide-offs and accidents due to the slick road conditions as he imagined we would, and chalks that up to people staying home.

Sheriff Craig says they, by the time the snow quit this morning, they only had one notable accident to work with, and attributes that, as well, to low traffic and a large number of people either staying home, or being stuck at home.

Now that the snow has come and gone, area road crews have their work cut out for them. Lawrence County Highway Superintendent Dan Lucas tells WBIW News they are going to have to go back and re-plow roads they already took care of this morning, and hope to have all major highways and other thoroughfares cleaned and treated by the time dark falls.

Lucas says as soon as it gets dark, he expects his crews will begin heading home for the night. Lucas also says minor roads and side streets will most likely have to wait until tomorrow morning to get taken car of.

He also says the Lawrence County Highway Department is doing fine in terms of salt, but if we get hit by many more storms like today's that could easily change.

Area Conditions (11:48am):

ISP Bloomington District:

IN-37: Monroe and Lawrence Counties, Passable, but extremely slick, snow covered and hazardous

IN-46: Owen, Monroe and Brown Counties, Passable, but extremely slick, snow covered and hazardous

IN-45: Greene, Monroe and Brown Counties, Passable, but extremely slick, snow covered and hazardous

IN-67/US-231: Owen and Greene Counties, Passable, but extremely slick, snow covered and hazardous.

Secondary/County Roads: Passable, but extremely slick, snow covered and hazardous.

ISP Jasper District:

I-64: Snow covered and slick

All State/US Highways: Snow covered and slick

Secondary/County Roads: Snow covered and slick

ISP Seymour District:

Roads are slick but passable

Traffic is extremely slow

Troopers dealing with a large number of slide-offs

ISP Sellersburg District:

I-65: Closed at MM20 (north of Henryville) with jackknifed semi

roads are extremely hazardous

Troopers dealing with a large number of slide-offs

Check area roadway cameras.

Duke Energy Power Outages

Total: 63,382

Lawrence: 23

Brown: 1

Crawford: 4,341

Greene: 0

Jackson: 10

Martin: 0

Monroe: 3

Orange: 96

Washington: 5,913

Other Power Outages

Jackson County REMC: 4,000 (mostly Washington County)

Some funeral services have had schedule changes today. Please check the specific listing on the Obituary Page for updates.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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