INDIANAPOLIS (WBBM Newsradio) – Record snowfall followed by dangerous cold continued to create hazardous travel conditions across central Indiana on Monday, as police and snowplow crews responded to dozens of crashes and hundreds of stranded motorists.
Indianapolis set a single-day snowfall record Sunday with 9.1 inches, breaking a mark set during the Blizzard of 1978. The snow left roads snow-covered and slick across the region, prompting travel warnings and calls from authorities to avoid unnecessary driving.
“We’ve had about 90 crashes in the last 24 hours in the Indianapolis district,” said Sgt. John Perrine of the Indiana State Police. “Around 65 or 70 slide offs where people go off the road into the ditch.”
Troopers also responded to more than 300 motorist assists as drivers became stuck in near single-digit temperatures.
Perrine added that even vehicles designed for winter conditions were struggling.
“Believe it or not, we’ve been digging out a lot of all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles today too,” he said.
Road conditions also led to a close call for law enforcement. Perrine tells CBS News Indianapolis a state trooper’s vehicle was struck by two semi-trucks while the trooper was assisting a stranded family in Hendricks County. Thankfully nobody was hurt.
Snow removal crews continued working around the clock, with the Indiana Department of Public Works deploying additional contract crews to help clear key routes.
Forecasters said extreme cold would keep snow from melting, with overnight lows dropping below zero and wind chills well below zero. Officials warned conditions may remain dangerous through the week and urged residents to stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary.