TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– Those around in Terre Haute woke up to quite the scene on Saturday, as some places had up to three and a half inches of snow.
Resident Gerri Varner said it was even more surprising for her given the warm temperatures from just a few days ago.
“It certainly was a big surprise. It wasn’t but a few days ago that we were outside in short sleeves and enjoying beautiful weather and then, wow,” she said.
Some families around the area tried to take advantage of the snow. Dozens made the trip to Deming Park for sledding, including Jeff Lough and his grandson. He enjoyed interacting with the others at the park.
“I hope everybody has this much fun with their day today as I have the last two and a half hours out here at Deming Park,” he said. “I didn’t think when I got up this morning, I was going to have this much fun.”
It also was a reminder of some of the hazards that come with winter weather. Sgt. Matt Ames with the Indiana State Police said they had five crashes in the Putnamville District overnight, and it was a busy day around the state due to the inclement weather.
“Every time we receive our first snowfall here in the Wabash Valley, people need to realize that it’s time to slow down,” he said. “Make sure that you’re slowing down, you’re allowing extra distance when you’re traveling behind someone, and you’re allowing extra distance when it’s time to come up on a stop sign or a stop light.”
He also recommended people get their cars checked, like their tires and wipers, ahead of the winter months.
For Lough, the snow brought out the best of a community he’s been apart of for decades.
“[We were] Interacting with people we didn’t know 10 minutes before they got out of their vehicle,” he said. “That’s why I enjoy living in Terre Haute, because that’s the kind of people that are here.”