A snow storm is creating a lot of problems across much of central and southern Indiana.
Up to a foot of snow has already fallen in parts of southwest Indiana. The National Weather Service says Indianapolis International Airport had 7 inches of snow on the ground by around 11:00 a.m., including 3 inches of snow in a single hour.
Indiana State Police in the Indianapolis area say they handled 103 calls for service from 6:00-10:30 a.m., with 91 of the calls being for crashes and slide-offs. As of 12:30 p.m., State Police in the same area say the number had increased to 170 calls, with 159 being crashes and slide-offs. Police say one Trooper's squad car was struck 3 times while working a crash.
State Police in the Bloomington area say traffic on Indiana 37 near the Morgan-Monroe County line was at a standstill, with 40-50 vehicles stopped due to the conditions. State Police tell the Associated Press the vehicles couldn't make it up a hill on the slick road. The road is now open, though the highway is still said to be very slick.
Several counties in the Bloomington area have declared snow emergencies, which means travel in those areas should be limited to emergency and public safety personnel.
Southbound Interstate 65 was closed north of Lafayette after a crash likely due to the weather. Indiana State Police along with Indiana Department of Transportation were able to reopen one lane around 12:30 p.m., but said it could take over 2 hours to clear the backup. Around an hour later, two crashes were reported several miles south on northbound I-65, closing the highway for around a half-hour. One involved a car hauler that overturned, losing several cars. The second accident involved a semi and several other vehicles. Thankfully, no one was hurt in either crash.
State Police say 5 people were hurt after an accident on U.S. 27 this morning in Adams County, south of Fort Wayne. Police say a driver heading south on U.S. 27 lost control of her vehicle and collided head-on with another vehicle. Police say all 5 of the injured, including two young children, were taken to a Decatur hospital for treatment. Police say the driver of the car, 22-year-old Jacqueline P. Curtis of Bryant, was cited for operating without financial responsibility, driving while suspended, driving left of center and speed too fast.
State Police say they are working a number of crashes along I-70 in Wayne County in the far eastern part of Indiana. Police say conditions are too hazardous to pull vehicles out that are stuck or incapacitated.
The Indiana National Guard says 100 soldiers and airmen have been activated to help. Some of those men and women will deploy in 10 Highway Assistance Teams to help emergency personnel with the evacuation of stranded motorists and shut-ins.
The Associated Press contributed to this story
Interstate 65 north of Lafayette (Courtesy: Indiana State Police)
Indiana 37 near Morgan-Monroe County line (Courtesy: Trooper Mike Adams, ISP)
Indiana 37 near Morgan-Monroe County line (Courtesy: Trooper Mike Adams, ISP)
I-69 in Delaware County (Courtesy: Indiana State Police)
Accident on I-65 near Lafayette (Courtesy: Indiana State Police)
