With a winter storm bearing down on the county, governments and schools are announced plans, changes and closures.
The forecast solidified as the storm approached. By Thursday afternoon, Johnson County is expected to get between three and seven inches of snow. Wednesday’s rain turned to freezing rain in the evening, before becoming sleet and snow. An estimated 1 to 3 inches of snow and sleet accumulation was expected, along with ice accumulations of less than a quarter of an inch, according to the National Weather Service.
More snow is expected to fall today. Accumulations could be between 4 and 7 inches, with temperatures in the lower 20s. Snowfall is likely to end before midnight, the weather service says.
Lows on Friday will be in the low 20s, with wind chill readings between one degree below zero and nine degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Gov. Eric Holcomb and other state officials detailed the state’s plans to respond and get through the storm during a news conference Wednesday morning.
The state planned to be nimble in its response as different parts of the state will experience different elements of winter weather. The Indiana Department of Transportation will be out in full force, working around-the-clock for the duration of the storm, said Joe McGuinness, INDOT commissioner.
However, INDOT was unable to pre-treat roads effectively due to the rain before the storm. Motorists should expect to slow down as conditions will be challenging. Wednesday models showed snow coverage across the entire state, he said.
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is working with emergency management agencies across the state, reminding them about state resources. The department is also working with the Indiana National Guard to set up highway assistance teams to help with roadways and stranded motorists, said Steve Cox, IDHS executive director.
The National Guard activated 240 soldiers to serve on 60 highway teams throughout the state. Six of the teams will be on standby as needed, he said.
IDHS also encourages residents to check their website to see county-by-county travel advisory maps. The maps are updated based on information from local emergency management agencies.
Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter warned Hoosiers that while first responders will do everything they can to help those in need during the storm, they should be aware of the limitations the storm may bring. All vehicles have limitations during winter weather, including law enforcement, and if more than a foot of snow falls, it will be difficult for them to respond, he said.
Roads that are oriented north-to-south, such as State Roads 37 and 135, U.S. 31, and Interstate 65, are often the worst for blowing snow, which can be challenging for first responders. Not every vehicle can make it through these conditions, and the storm’s impact will continue into the weekend, Carter said.
County and state-run COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites, including at Compass Park in Franklin and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will be closed today. Compass Park will be closed Friday as well.
Locally, all of the county’s public school districts announced they would be releasing students early ahead of the storm and canceling events.
Four districts — Clark-Pleasant, Edinburgh, Franklin and Indian Creek — made the decision to close schools and make Thursday and Friday e-learning days for students.
Center Grove schools will be closed without e-learning days on Thursday and Friday.
Greenwood schools will be closed without an e-learning day on Thursday, but will not make a decision about Friday until officials learn more about road conditions at that time, Superintendent Terry Terhune said on social media Tuesday night.
The county’s highway department will deploy nearly 30 plow trucks in shifts throughout the storm, and are preparing for blowing and drifting snow in some areas on Friday, even after most of the cleanup is done, said Luke Mastin, county highway director.
Several cities and towns, including Edinburgh, Franklin and Greenwood, has been encouraging residents to move their vehicles off the streets so plow trucks can get through. Local utilities encouraged customers to be prepared for outages, and explained how they will try to maintain their systems during the storm.
If you need to go out during the storm, you should leave early, take your time and give snow plows plenty of space. But first responders prefer you stay home, said Mike Pruitt, deputy chief of the Bargersville Community Fire Department.
