FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Improved road conditions throughout the Wabash Valley have enabled many counties to rescind their travel Warning status, as Vigo County Commissioners did officially at 6 p.m., when it was reduced to a Travel Watch remaining in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Parke, Clay, Knox, Greene and Martin counties are also at the Watch level, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Moreover, Vermillion County Sheriff Mike Phelps announced Tuesday that Vermillion County was reduced to Advisory status, the lowest level of local travel notice, meaning that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas. Daviess County is also at an Advisory status.
Meanwhile, the Farmersburg Marshal’s Office learned Tuesday that the town’s snow plow broke shortly after 10 p.m. Monday night. The town is working to resolve the situation resolved but is unsure how long it will take.
Sullivan County dispatch on Tuesday night reported that roads in the city of Sullivan were “pretty decent, the state roads are good and the county roads are a bit rough.” Road conditions will be reevaluated Wednesday at noon, at which point the county’s state of emergency will be updated.
Greene County also remains at a Warning level. Its dispatch reported Tuesday night, “We haven’t gotten a lot off calls, but that might be if people aren’t getting out. I live on county roads and I got to work fine, but I couldn’t tell you much more than that.”
In Knox County, also on Tuesday night, dispatch reported, “The main roads are clear, the side roads can be questionable. It’s not bad, given what we got last night. All is good.”
Parke County dispatch said, “There are still some slick spots and roads covered in others, but for the most part, it’s pretty good.”
Clay County dispatch said its roads were passable “so far. They’re doing good.”
Road conditions kept area law enforcement busy responding to weather-related calls, and motorists were warned that any vehicles stuck in the snow could remain that way until at least Wednesday.
“We are not removing any vehicles from crashes that occurred yesterday until tomorrow,” Indiana State Police Sgt. Matt Ames said Tuesday.
From the time the snow hit until Tuesday afternoon, the ISP Putnamville Post responded to a total of 43 motorist assists, 26 slide-offs, 25 property damage crashes and five crashes with injuries, Ames said, noting that no major injuries were reported.
Clay County was listed in the Watch Level which means that “conditions are threatening to the safety of the public.” During a Watch, local travel advisory, only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended, and emergency action plans should be implemented by businesses, schools, government agencies and other organizations.
Parke County Sheriff Justin Cole said there were several calls regarding slide-offs, stuck vehicles and stranded motorists. Only a few crashes were reported, he said, including a jackknifed semi on US 41 in Lyford. No injuries were reported.
A similar report was received in Vermillion County with several slide-offs and only a few crashes reported, according to Sheriff Mike Phelps.
“We had several vehicles get stuck and just leave the vehicle in the roadway,” he said.
The Vermillion County Highway Department had moved on to the lesser traveled roads by early afternoon Tuesday, and anticipated having all roads opened by 3 p.m.
The Terre Haute Police Department responded to at least 10 crashes since Sunday, according to Sgt. Ryan Adamson.
