More significant snowfall predicted this week
Winter storm brings beauty, hazard

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTOS
Pictured top photo is the beauty that the winter storm left behind last Friday into the day on Saturday. However, the flip side is pictured below (center photo), as a motorists couldn't stay upright on US 50 just east of Holton a little after 3 p.m. Friday, February 5. The photo at oggomis another weather related incident involving the Jeep shown and a semi truck behind the ambulance. This accident occurred Saturday, February 6 around noon. No further information was available about either accident.

 

Mounting snow on Friday, February 5 brought beauty to Ripley County, but not without trouble for some motorists.

According to information from Sergeant Noel Houze of the Indiana State Police, troopers from the Versailles District kept busy over the weekend as a result of the storm that dumped up to six inches in places.

Sgt. Houze noted that during a 24-hour period, troopers investigated ten property damage crashes and one minor personal injury crash. They also responded to 22 reported slide-offs. This was the state police alone and did not include the numerous accidents and slide-offs investigated by other law enforcement agencies throughout the county.

State police say most of the crashes they investigated were the results of motorists driving too fast for the slick and hazardous road conditions.

Ripley County Commissioners declared the county a Level Two emergency meaning road conditions had become dangerous to routine traffic. At this level only travel that is necessary is permitted.

With another storm forecasted for today and into the day on Wednesday, police remind motorists to avoid unnecessary travel. If you must travel, Indiana State Police give these tips: reduce your speed and increase the following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you, leave early for your destination and be sure to buckle up.

For information on road conditions tune in to your local radio or television stations or visit the Indiana Department of Transportation website at www.TrafficWise.in.gov or call the 24 hour road and weather line at 1-800-261-7623. People are asked not to call state, county, or local police dispatch centers to get road and weather updates as these lines should be kept open for emergency calls.