Wind causing plowing issues
The Noblesville Street Dept. continues to run 24 hours a day but is facing a tough obstacle in Mother Nature. Due to blowing and drifting that occurred overnight Sunday into Monday, crews in many cases had to start over with plowing yesterday morning.
Officials said the priority is primary routes, then secondary routes, then alternate routes. In addition, crews focused a great deal of attention Monday working with the hospital and the police and fire departments to clear roads for emergency situations, dialysis patients and other patients with life threatening conditions who require treatment, people who were stranded without electricity and needed to move out of their house, etc. Officials said today’s focus will be the alternate routes including cul-de-sacs.
Pet-friendly shelter open at fairgrounds
The Red Cross Shelter at Fall Creek Intermediate School in Fishers is now closed. An additional shelter opened at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds today. This shelter will accept pets as well as people. Owners must remember to stay with pets at all times.
Owners will be required to bring storage capabilities for their pets and all feeding, medication and maintenance requirements. Pet owners are encouraged to use common sense for which pets are to be brought. Interior home temperatures may drop to 20 degrees leaving all feline animals capable of remaining in the home. All dogs with long haired fur will be more than capable of remaining in the home. Small dogs, geriatric dogs and cats, exotic birds, etc, that may have difficulty with cold weather should be brought to the shelter.
Officials are urging all residents without power to seek warm shelter. If assistance is needed with transportation, contact Hamilton County Communications at 773-1282.
Humane Society closed, animals cared for
Executive Director Rebecca Stevens said is “doing pretty good” with the limited staff and volunteers that can make it in. “Every animal received the care and love they needed,” she said. Stevens said the most important thing to share with the public is to please keep their pets inside. “With temperatures as frigid as they are, a dog house doesn’t matter. That’s not enough. Any bowl of water outside is going to freeze. If it’s too cold for you to be outside, it’s too cold for them,” she said.
No school make-up day needed
Noblesville Schools will apply for a waiver from the state for Tuesday so that student don’t need to make-up the day later in the school year. No classes were scheduled for Monday, so no waiver is available. This will make the school year 179 days and not 180 days.
Power outage ongoing
Included in those numbers are 5,000-6,000 Noblesville and Fishers customers who lost power Monday evening. Approximately 1,700 remain out of service in the area as of this morning. Crews will work throughout the day to resolve issues there, including numerous problems with transformers and underground power systems. Estimated time for completing power restoration in that area is approximately 4 p.m. today.
Travel Warning lifted
Hamilton County officials have downgraded the Travel Warning to a Travel Watch for all county roads in the unincorporated areas of the county. Previously areas north of Ind. 32 were under a Travel Warning and south were under a Travel Watch. This has changed and all roads are now under a Level 2 Orange Travel Watch.
A Travel Watch means motorists are restricted to emergency travel and to and from work. County highway officials state that most roads are passable using extreme caution. Residents are still urged not to travel and to remain at home. If travel is necessary, let someone know plans, routes, and times. Carry an emergency kit including a charged cell phone, blankets or sleeping bags, food, water, and extra clothes. If the car becomes stranded, stay with the vehicle unless shelter is within sight.