Weather related closings and delays

CANCELLATIONS/DELAYS

  • The City of South Bend, with support from the Red Cross of Northwest Indiana, will open the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center as an emergency warming center from 8:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19 through 9:00 a.m. Monday, January 21. The warming center is intended as a safe place for individuals and families who experience loss of heat in their homes during this time.
  • Community Baptist Church in South Bend will only have the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, the 20th. Sunday school and evening service is cancelled.
  • Indiana Dept. of Education will be closed Jan. 21 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
  • Benton Harbor/St. Joseph Women's Unity March cancelled Jan. 19 and rescheduled for Mar. 16..
  • ETHOS Innovation Center has cancelled Open Museum Day 1/19/19 due to severe weather warning. It has been moved to January 26 9:00-1:00
  • St. Joseph County extreme cold public health advisory: With wind chill temperatures in St. Joseph County dropping below zero degrees this weekend and into next week, the St. Joseph Department of Health has issued a Public Health Advisory. Exposure to cold temperatures, whether indoors or outside, can cause serious life-threatening health problems. 
  • Lakeland School Corp. cancelled all Saturday and Sunday activities.


TRAFFIC/TRAVEL ADVISORIES

  • Indiana Toll Road: Between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Sunday, the Indiana Toll Road will ban triple tractor trailers and long-doubles (high-profile).
  • South Shore Line: The South Shore Line plans to provide substitute bus service between South Bend and Michigan City Carroll Ave. on Monday, Jan. 21, until EB Train 7 on Tuesday, Jan. 22, in response to a frigid temperatures forecast. Click here for the latest info on South Shore routes

Check out the maps for travel conditions in your county.

POWER OUTAGES:

IF YOU GET STRANDED WHILE DRIVING

The Indiana State Police have released the following tips if you get stranded in your vehicle.

  • Before you leave, let someone know your route of travel.
  • Always keep your gas tank full when driving in cold weather.
  • Carry a winter survival kit in your car which is to include: blankets, extra warm clothes, flashlight, extra batteries, brightly colored cloth, sand or a bag of cat litter, shovel, candles and matches, non perishable high calorie foods, (nuts, raisins, and protein or energy bars), newspapers (for insulation), a first aid kit and jumper cables.
  • Do not leave your car if stranded, it is your best protection. Do not panic, an idling car only uses an average of one gallon of gas per hour. • Roll down a window a very small amount for fresh air.
  • Make sure the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • At night, leave your dome light on.
  • Always have your cell phone and a charger so you can call the Indiana State Police or local police.

SAFETY TIPS FROM THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

Put Together a Supply Kit

  • Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day
  • Food—at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
  • Extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.)
  • Multi-purpose tool
  • Sanitation and personal hygiene items
  • Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
  • Cell phone with chargers
  • Family and emergency contact information
  • Extra cash
  • Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
  • Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
  • Tools/supplies for securing your home
  • Sand, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter to make walkways and steps less slippery
  • Warm coats, gloves or mittens, hats, boots and extra blankets and warm clothing for all household members
  • Ample alternate heating methods such as fireplaces or wood- or coal-burning stoves

Remaining Safe During a Winter Storm

  • Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels for critical information on snow storms and blizzards from the National Weather Service (NWS).
  • Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas and make sure that their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles.
  • Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.
  • All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside and kept clear.
  • Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
  • Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
  • Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
  • Go to a designated public shelter if your home loses power or heat during periods of extreme cold.
  • Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle.
  • Before tackling strenuous tasks in cold temperatures, consider your physical condition, the weather factors and the nature of the task.
  • Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible.
  • Help people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

Caution: Carbon Monoxide Kills

  • Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
  • The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire.
  • Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.
  • If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.
  • Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.
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