http://www.in.gov/dhs/files/sigwx.pdf

Several counties along the Ohio River are under a Level 1 State of Emergency.

Description of Incident
A severe winter storm system moved through the state dumping heavy snow and freezing rain across most of Indiana. Up to 13 inches of snow and 1 inch of ice reported across central and southern Indiana causing power outages and transportation issues. School systems and county government offices across most of the southern 2/3 of the state were closed. Numerous traffic accidents and hundreds of road closures were reported. Roads in many areas were impassable.

Health, Safety and Security
Confirmed Fatalities:
Two fatalities have been confirmed. A Marengo woman (Crawford County) was killed in a weather-related traffic accident and a resident of Jackson County died while shoveling snow.

Current Situation
Greater Clark County Schools will be closed the rest of the week. The school system has several buildings without power and experienced a large water leak at Jeffersonville High School.

A Wind Chill Advisory has been issued for east-central Indiana; with wind chill temperatures between -10 and -15 F in some areas.

County Emergency Declarations

Level 1 – A state of emergency has been declared by the county commissioners. Travel restricted to emergency personnel only.

Crawford, Dubois, Posey, Spencer, Sullivan, Brown, Washington, Clark, Franklin, Jennings, Scott, Switzerland

Level 2 – Conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. Only essential travel is recommended (to and from work, emergency situations, etc.).

Knox, Vanderburgh, Huntington, Shelby, Delaware, Randolph, Union, Clay, Owen, Jackson, Lawrence, Dearborn, Floyd, Jefferson, Ohio

Level 3 - Routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, citizens should use caution or avoid these areas.

Adams, Steuben, Fountain, Morgan, Blackford, Grant, Henry, Rush, Tipton,

Please visit www.in.gov/dhs for current county emergency situations.

Shelter Operations

• Crawford County, Hillview Christian Church – 74
• Dubois County, Huntingburg Event Center – 2
• Spencer County, Trinity United Methodist Church – 40
• Vanderburgh County, Red Cross Shelter, Evansville – 125
• Vanderburgh County, 4H Center – 78
• Vanderburgh County, Washington United Church of Christ – 75
• Vanderburgh County, Camp Reveal – 6
• Warrick County, St. John’s Catholic School – 23
• Warrick County, Boonville High School – 22

Total Reported Shelter Population: 445
Total Capacity Available: 2,751

Critical Infrastructure and Facilities

Power Outages

• Duke Energy – 39,383 – Expected Restoration: 01/31/2009
• Vectren – 69,344 – Expected Restoration: 02/02/2009
• Clark County REMC – 4,000 – Expected Restoration: 01/30/2009
• Harrison County REMC – 9,500 – Expected Restoration: 1/28/2009
• Dubois REMC – 2,500 – Expected Restoration: 01/30/2009
• Orange County REMC – 500 – Expected Restoration: 01/30/2009
• Jackson County REMC – 3,500 – Expected Restoration: 01/29/2009
• Southeastern Indiana REMC – 2,000 – Expected Restoration: 01/31/2009
• Southern Indiana REMC – 4,500 – Expected Restoration: 01/31/2009

Current Total: 135,227
Peak Total: 187,460

Description of Incident
A severe winter storm system moved through the state dumping heavy snow and freezing rain across most of Indiana. Up to 13 inches of snow and 1 inch of ice reported across central and southern Indiana causing power outages and transportation issues. School systems and county government offices across most of the southern 2/3 of the state were closed. Numerous traffic accidents and hundreds of road closures were reported. Roads in many areas were impassable.

Health, Safety and Security
Confirmed Fatalities:

Two fatalities have been confirmed. A Marengo woman (Crawford County) was killed in a weather-related traffic accident and a resident of Jackson County died while shoveling snow.

Current Situation
High 911 call volume in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Marion, Posey and Clark Counties. 43 counties have declared travel emergencies, sections of I-70, I-65, I-69 and I-74 are closed. Widespread power outages reported across areas of southwestern Indiana, Vanderburgh, Jefferson and Floyd, Warrick, Spencer.

154,349 customers are reported to be without power, most is southern and southwestern Indiana.

Sheltering population is 84, with a total of 13 shelters open and a capacity of 1485. Requests have been made for transportation resources to assist in the movement of residents to shelters.

County Emergency Declarations

Level 1 - A state of emergency has been declared by the county commissioners. Travel restricted to emergency personnel only.

Brown, Crawford, Dubois, Fountain, Morgan, Posey, Scott, Shelby and Washington

Level 2 – Conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. Only essential travel is recommended (to and from work, emergency situations, etc.).

Clay, Floyd, Grant, Huntington, Jackson, Knox, Lawrence, Madison, Rush, Union and Vanderburgh

Level 3 - Routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, citizens should use caution or avoid these areas.

Adams, Benton, Blackford, Delaware, Hamilton and Steuben.

Please visit www.in.gov/dhs for current county emergency situations.

Shelter Operations

• Posey County – First Presbyterian Church, Mt. Vernon: 7
• Clark County – Red Cross facility: 0
• Gibson County – Red Cross, Princeton: 0Vanderburgh County – Red Cross Chapter, Evansville: 0
• Warrick County – Booneville: 0
• Spencer County – Ohio Valley Fire Department: 0
• Floyd County – Salvation Army, New Albany: Unknown
• Floyd County – Indiana Creek Baptist Church, Georgetown: Unknown
• Scott County – Scottsburg High School: 0
• Crawford County – Marengo, Hillview Christian Church: 9
• Washington County – Hospital: Unknown
• Marion County – Indianapolis Grey Hound Terminal – 75

Total Reported Shelter Population: 84
Total Capacity Available: 2,181

Critical Infrastructure and Facilities

Power Outages

• Duke Energy – 60,449 – Expected Restoration: 01/30/2009
  • Clarksville – 38,750
  • Cordon/Salem – 17,039
  • Madison – 4,660
• Vectren – 69,400 – Expected Restoration: 02/02/2009
  • Vanderburgh – 46,000
  • Warrick – 12,000
  • Gibson – 1,200
  • Spencer – 4,600
  • Posey – 5,600
• Clark County REMC – 4,000 – Expected Restoration: 01/30/2009
• Harrison County REMC – 12,000
• Dubois REMC – 2,500 – Expected Restoration: 01/30/2009
• Orange County REMC – 500 – Expected Restoration: 01/30/2009
• Jackson County REMC – 3,500 – Expected Restoration: 01/30/2009
• Southeastern Indiana REMC – 2,000 – Expected Restoration: 01/31/2009

The one thing that I loved most about the Dome was the size of it. It had such an “Indiana” feel to it. Not too big and not to small….just right.

I could go down a list of some of my favorite moments at the RCA Dome…but I think ONE will do. It happened in 2006!

When the Colts made the biggest comeback in AFC Playoff history and beat New England to advance to the Superbowl! Thanks dome for all the great moments!

Meantime, the campaign of Mitch Daniels purchased ad time statewide from now until the end of August.  Its a buy comparable to the $5 million dollar purchase his campaign made in advance of the May primary.

The official word from the Obama staff is that the Illinois Senator’s schedule is fluid but the search is underway for a suitable location for a Saturday event.

Mitch Daniels took that trip, and so did Randy Tobias.  Dee Dee Benkie did it, too.

If you’re looking for a Hoosier still in the White House, Tim Goeglein is there.

I’ll remember two incidents most. The first one is also the first time I set eyes on her. Then-state Sen. Carson had a member of the Indiana House up against the wall outside the House chamber, poking him in the chest with a finger. She requested that he listen to her using terms I can’t repeat here. He listened.

The second came when she was Center Township Trustee and invited us along as she paid home visits on people who received assistance through her office. On several stops she determined that the money had been misspent.

When that happened, she would write out an impromptu contract detailing how the recipient could pay back the money and demand a signature. In one case a forlorn woman looked up from the contract to say, “I voted for you Miss Carson.”

Said Julia, “This is what you voted for.”