Category Archives: Disasters

Disasters, SKYWARN

City of Fort Wayne issues flood-related news release

City of Fort Wayne logo

February 20, 2014 (noon) – Public Works and Utility staff are addressing a few street flooding issues that occurred due to this morning’s heavy rain. River levels remain low today but because some storm drains are blocked by ice and debris there is higher water in some streets across the City. Residents are asked to check inlets in their neighborhoods and remove obstructions that might be blocking the flow of melted snow and rainwater from getting into the storm sewers. The City has more than 90,000 storm inlets.

Motorists should not attempt to drive through standing water in roadways.

Residents should call 311 to report high water. If it’s after hours, residents should remain on the line and the automated prompts will help them reach the sewer maintenance department.

The Public Works Division is making additional sites available where residents can fill sandbags to protect their property.

Residents will need to bring their own shovels to fill the bags. Sand will be available by 3:00 p.m. today at the following locations:

Northside Park – parking lot, Parnell Avenue

Ash Centre – parking lot, 1701 Freeman Street

Disasters, SKYWARN

Allen County, Ind. Highway Department barns offer sandbags for possible flooding

A combination of melting snow and moderate to locally heavy rainfall has Allen County officials warning residents to take action now against possible flooding in the area.

The flooding threat has led the Allen County Highway Department to offer citizens free sandbags.

The fill-them-yourself bags and sand will be available anytime until further notice inside the salt storage units at the highway department’s two maintenance facilities. The north facility is located at 2234 Carroll Road and the south facility is located at 8317 East Tillman Road. Sandbags are available on a first-come basis and you will need to bring your own shovel.

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Disasters, SKYWARN

Update on Fort Wayne shelter, warming station availability

From the City of Fort Wayne Web page:

January 7, 2014 – The shelter at the Public Safety Academy, 7602 Patriot Crossing, led by the American Red Cross will close at Noon today.

The shelter at the Salvation Army, 2901 N. Clinton St., will remain open until Noon on Wednesday.

Warming stations led by the City’s Parks & Recreation Department remain open. Today is the last day for the warming stations.
Warming station locations:
*Community Center, 233 W. Main St., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
*Jennings Center, 1330 McCulloch St., Noon-8 p.m.
*Weisser Center, 802 Eckart St., Noon-8 p.m.
*Cooper Center, 2300 Clinton/Lafayette streets, Noon-8 p.m.

Disasters, SKYWARN

Allen County State of Emergency & Travel Warning to Expire at 6 p.m.

From the Allen County Facebook page:

State of Emergency & Travel Warning for Allen Co. to Expire at 6 p.m.; Travel Watch in effect until 7 a.m. Wed.

The State of Emergency and Winter Weather Travel Warning for Allen County, including the cities of Fort Wayne, New Haven and Woodburn, will be allowed to expire at 6 p.m. today. In their place, a Winter Weather Travel Watch for the entire county will be in effect until 7 a.m. Wednesday.

A Travel Watch means that conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. During a Watch, only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations is recommended. Drivers should be aware that conditions are hazardous. Please drive slowly and have emergency supplies in vehicles, along with a cell phone.

Though the travel status has been reduced from a Warning to a Watch, many county roads will continue to be affected by winds and drifting which will make some of those roads impassable. And while main city streets have been cleared, they are still slick and will remain that way with the dangerously cold temperatures.

The public’s help in staying off of streets and roads as much as possible will allow crews to continue with plowing operations so that fire, law enforcement and ambulance services are able to meet the needs of the public.

All Allen County and City of Fort Wayne government offices will be open on Tuesday and employees should report for work.

Disasters, SKYWARN

Indiana DOT issues situation report

The northeast branch of the Indiana Department of Transportation published the following message on Facebook at 1:02 p.m. EST:

Winter weather update #2 for 1-6-14

Strong winds and bitter cold air will continue across Indiana today. West to northwest winds will gust at 25 to 35 mph, which will result in continued blowing and drifting snow. We will also have very dangerous wind chills at -25° to -40° F. A Winter Storm Warning is still in effect for our northeast and north central regions until 8pm tomorrow. A Wind Chill Warning is in effect until 7pm tomorrow.

We are expecting a gradual warming trend to start in the middle of the week into the weekend. With the warmer air, however, we also have the threat for additional snow on Wednesday and Thursday.

During Governor Mike Pence’s press conference this morning, he emphasized, that this continues to be a dangerous winter storm, in spite of the sunshine you see outside your windows. Please stay off the roads. Stay home, unless it is absolutely critical for you to travel. Staying off the roads will help keep you out of harm’s way.

If you should lose power, then being in a home without power in dangerously low temperatures does put you in harm’s way. If you are in this situation, you may call 911, and either law enforcement, National Guard personnel or other emergency personnel can help get you someplace warm.

INDOT Commissioner Karl Browning stated that 1,800 INDOT workers have responded to the full callout statewide. With the weather working against us, most roads are not clear right now. Most are snow packed, and will likely stay this way until at least Wednesday, when temperatures are expected to rise. Snow pack is drivable, but dangerous. Tonight, ice is likely to re-form, and create slick spots on the roads. There are 22 road closures across the state right now, and getting those roads open is a top priority.

Road Closures in Northeast Indiana:
— US 35 is closed between US 31 and SR 13 in Howard and Grant Counties
— SR 19 is closed between the SR 16 north junction and SR 14 in Miami County
— I-469 northbound at mile marker 20
— I-69 northbound was closed at mile marker 296, the south junction I-469 ramp. This may be cleared.

Also:
— I-65 is closed in all directions from mile marker 172 to miler marker 260
— I-80/94 is closed in all direction from the Illinois State line to mile marker 34 at US 421