The potential for freezing rain, snow and an ice storm are in the forecast for central and southern Indiana from Wednesday night through Thursday.
While the National Weather Service predicted the impact on Bartholomew County to be “mild to moderate,” emergency management officials also sent out a notice reminding the public to prepare now for the possibility of severe weather.
The National Weather Service said Monday afternoon that local residents can expect the possibility of heavy mixed precipitation with sleet and snow accumulations up to 3 inches and ice accumulations of one tenth to one quarter of an inch. Power outages and tree damage are likely, according to forecasters.
“Most people should be able to get out, so don’t go to the store and deplete all the bread and milk,” Bartholomew County Emergency Management Director Shannan Cooke said. “Just make sure you have enough groceries for a couple of days, if you feel you might have to stay put.”
Unfortunately, there are no guarantees regarding the severity of the winter weather heading our way this week, she said.
When you do drive, give yourself plenty of extra time, keep plenty of distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead of you, and — above all — “slow your ride down,” Cooke said.
When asked what she thinks might the greatest threat during the upcoming winter storm, Cooke said overconfident drivers who put too much trust in their four-wheel drive vehicles.
“While some think a 4-wheel drive allows them to run at their normal speed, that’s not the case,” she said. “It doesn’t help you stop, and it doesn’t work on ice at all.”
If a heavier amount of snow falls than is currently expected, drifting snow can create extremely dangerous conditions. So if possible, check in with local media or other knowledgeable sources to find out if there are any obstacles on your normal route, Cooke said.
As cold air moves in on Thursday, a combination of snow, sleet, and freezing rain is expected. But what’s going to fall – when it will arrive – and how much it will be is anyone’s guess at this time, she said.
With sleet and freezing rain in the mix, one of the main concerns will be electrical outages caused by downed power lines. If you have a home generator, make sure it has fuel and periodically clear the vents, intake and cover clear of snow and debris, she said.
If you have a kerosene heater, Cooke strongly advises residents not to keep it running while everyone is asleep.
Pets should be brought indoors during the severe weather, she said.
Since melted precipitation and rain on the roads could refreeze, Cooke says drivers should be aware of a good possibility of black ice. The term refers to a nearly transparent film of ice on a paved road that is difficult to see.
For that reason, Cooke strongly suggests that drivers keep the speed down – even if the road looks clear ahead.
