Officials: Stay off area roads, stay home, stay safe

Emergency officials are urging you to avoid being out on the road at all as crews work to clear streets and roads.

According to INDOT and the Indiana State Police, if you have to go out in this weather you should make sure to clear snow from all over the vehicle, not just the windows. With these sub-freezing temperatures you should consider using fuel treatments to prevent fuel lines from freezing due to the extreme cold.

You should stick to main routes which are more likely to have been recently plowed and where help may be more readily available if you get stuck, break down or get into an accident.

Be alert to flashing lights while you are driving and make sure to give plenty of room to snow plows, rescue workers and tow trucks that are out working during the storm.

Make sure to that you leave yourself extra time to reach your destination. You should leave early, slow down and increase space between you and the vehicles ahead of you to allow for extra stopping distances.

Before you set out on a trip, you should share your travel plans with others including the route you are planning and when you expect to arrive.

They also warn not to overestimate your own skills or the capabilities of your vehicle to handle the snow and cold.

When in doubt, you should stay off the road.

Photo: File photo of INDOT snow plow in Columbus in 2021. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Emergency Management