HANCOCK COUNTY — Agencies, schools and businesses are bracing for a life-threatening cold snap that will blast into central Indiana tonight.
The National Weather Service in Indianapolis anticipates some of the coldest temperatures in recent memory. On Monday, it issued a wind-chill watch from this evening until Thursday. Wind chills could go as low as 20 to 40 degrees below zero from tonight through Thursday morning, officials said. The high on Wednesday might be below zero.
Officials with Hancock County Emergency Management are trying to get word out to the community about how to stay safe in such dangerous weather, director Misty Moore said. Moore and safety officials are warning people to be aware of frostbite and hypothermia risks and to be aware how quickly they can occur if precautions are not taken.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Leaders of the Hancock County Community Organizations Active in Disasters coalition, or COAD, are scrambling to get the word out to the county’s homeless that a warm place to stay will be available.
Tonight and Wednesday night, a warming center able to accommodate about 20 people will be open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 116 W. South St., Greenfield, said COAD co-chair Jim Peters.
Those in need can contact Hancock County’s 911 dispatch at (317) 477-1144. They also can go to the Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen, 202 E. Main St., or Hancock Hope House, 35 E. Pierson St., to be transported to the warming center.
With expected wind chills below minus-20, frostbite can set in within 20 to 30 minutes of exposure to the cold air, said Hancock Regional Hospital physician Dr. Jason Henney. Symptoms of frostbite include feeling cold on the extremities, like fingertips, nose, ears and chin; later, numbness will set in that becomes very painful once back in a warm environment, Henney said.
Those who suspect they may have frostbite should first try to warm up the affected area slowly by putting it in water that’s about 100 degrees. If an individual’s fingertips are white or gray and they are not improving after attempts to warm up, they should come in and be seen, Henney said. Blistering is also a telltale sign of frostbite.
The people most at risk from bitter cold are the very old and very young, said HRH director of nursing Craig Felty. Those who abuse alcohol are also at higher risk for cold-related injuries, both because how alcohol affects the decision-making process and because alcohol causes people to lose body heat through their skin, Felty said.
While frostbite and hypothermia are risks in such cold temperatures, much more common injuries seen by physicians in bitterly cold weather include fall injuries from people slipping on ice or carbon monoxide poisoning from people using heaters that are not meant to be used in enclosed spaces, Henney said.
According to the United States Department of Energy, portable electric space heaters are the only safe kind of space heater to use in the home.
Henney recommended people prepare by checking on older neighbors and family members. Those at risk might consider skipping trips to the mailbox for a few days to lower the risk of falling.
“By far, the most common thing we see is people slipping and falling on the ice,” Henney said. “We see a lot of wrist fractures, head injuries.”
Leaders at the county’s four public school districts have an eye on the weather as well, they said Monday.
Southern Hancock school officials say they will make the call each day whether to stay open, delay or close schools. District officials had already planned for a half day Wednesday of E-learning — in which students work from home on their iPads or laptops provided by the district.
“Our goal is always to make a decision as early as possible so parents can put their plans in place,” said Wes Anderson, Southern Hancock schools public relations director.
District guidelines say an air temperature of minus-10 or wind chill of minus-19 can cause a two-hour delay or school to be canceled. But they will make the call as the forecast, which could change, unfolds.
Greenfield-Central schools already had planned an E-learning day scheduled for Wednesday as a professional development day for staff, said superintendent Harold Olin.
Monday afternoon, Olin notified parents that all G-C schools will be closed to students and staff, meaning some 140 students who had planned to be bused in to district schools would need to complete their work from home. He said delays might happen Thursday as well, based on the temperature and wind chill forecast for the day.
Eastern Hancock Superintendent Vicki McGuire said in a text message that the district would wait and see before making a decision. She said the district doesn’t have guidelines regarding temperature but that she would make a decision based on what’s safest for students.
Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation announced on its website an E-learning day for Wednesday and that all student volunteer activities are canceled “due to the extremely cold temperatures.”
But the plummeting wind chills won’t keep some Hancock County workers from getting their jobs done outside.
Kent Fisk, president of Greenfield-based Fisk Waste Removal, said his company’s trucks will be running trash pickup routes regardless of where the temperature winds up.
“We’re not changing anything,” Fisk said. “We’ll still work all this week just as normal.”
Staff will ensure the fleet remains in working order by housing trucks inside overnight and fortifying their fuel with additives, Fisk said.
“Trucks start out nice and warm,” he added.
Fisk also said that when it’s as cold as it’s expected to be in the coming days, oftentimes people won’t even take out their trash, opting instead to wait a week. That can make routes go more quickly, he said.
If NineStar Connect’s electric or telecom utilities experience outages during the anticipated bout of cold weather, its workers will be out as well doing repairs, according to vice president of operations Jeff Conley.
“Pretty much all the outside operations people will be in and out or standing by,” Conley said.
NineStar Connect also operates water and wastewater utilities. Conley said the Indiana Department of Environmental Management requires daily tests for water utilities, so NineStar Connect water operators will be out ensuring those tasks are completed and that equipment doesn’t freeze.
Staff members prepare for conditions like the ones expected by layering up, remaining aware of their surroundings and ensuring vehicles are in working order with plenty of fuel, Conley continued.
Not all outdoor workers will be able to labor through the upcoming cold, however. Jon Watson, construction manager for Greenfield-based Arbor Homes, said an electric company he works with has already called to tell him that its electricians won’t be able to do rough-in work scheduled for Wednesday due to the expected weather.
Arbor Homes has about 25 houses in different stages of construction, Watson said. Fortunately, there’s plenty of inside work like flooring and interior electrical work that can still be done in homes that are further along in the construction process.
“We’ll keep plugging away on the stuff inside,” Watson said. “…Any exterior stuff like roofing, siding — those guys will probably not show up on Wednesday. It loses a whole day, but it’s just part of it.”
Apartment complexes in Greenfield are concerned about the upcoming cold weather as well. Tracy Espich, a leasing agent for Weston Village Apartments on Roosevelt Drive, said residents are encouraged to leave cabinet doors open and let water drip to avoid frozen pipes.
Signs lining the drive leading to Greenfield Village Apartments off North Broadway Street remind residents to let water trickle as well.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”STAY SAFE AND WARM” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
BUNDLE UP – Almost all cases of hypothermia and frostbite are preventable. If you must be outside, dress appropriately and limit your time outdoors.
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH NEIGHBORS – Infants and the elderly are most at risk for cold-related illness.
PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE POWER OUTAGES AND LOSS OF HEAT – Keep homes at 68 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer and prepare for the possibility of a power outage. Have enough food and water for 48 hours, as well as flashlights, working batteries, and emergency contact information written down, not just saved in a cell phone. Do not use natural gas or ovens to heat your homes. Also, do not use kerosene-fueled heaters indoors. If you or someone you know needs help, please call 211 for heating assistance.
BRING PETS INSIDE – Even pets that have outdoor shelter will be in danger in extreme cold such as that expected starting tonight. Bring them inside.
IF YOU MUST TRAVEL – Be sure to check your vehicle’s battery and coolant and keep a pair of jumper cables handy. A set of warm clothes and a blanket is also a good idea if you get stranded.
Source: Hancock County Emergency Management
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”PROTECT YOUR PIPES” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Frozen pipes can easily burst under the pressure formed by ice inside them. Here are some tips to prevent and deal with frozen pipes.
Insulate exposed water lines — Buy insulated sleeves from the hardware store that slip easily around exposed pipes in the garage, attic, basement or outside. Pipes located in these areas are more susceptible to freezing.
Seal leaks or cracks around pipes in the bathroom or kitchen. Cold air can flood through the tiniest crevices. Insulate or caulk around pipes to keep them from freezing.
Leave bathroom/kitchen cabinet doors open — this will allow warm room air to circulate around the pipes that are on outside walls when cold weather invades. Also, let faucets drip to reduce pressure.
Keep thermostat at same temperature day and night — the heating bill might be a bit higher, but it pales in comparison to paying for the damage of a pipe bursting.
Remove hoses from outside faucets. If you leave hoses connected with water still in them, there’s no place for water from the faucet or the water line to drain. For the faucets, you can buy an insulated cover or just wrap a towel, foam or even newspaper around the faucet, cover in plastic and then tape to hold in place.
If your pipes freeze
Turn on all faucets to find out which ones are working — a small trickle of water from one faucet while others are gushing is a good indicator of a frozen line.
Work back from the faucet to check for ice blockage — run a hair dryer or heat gun back and forth along the pipe, warming it gradually. Never put a heat source directly on the pipe, especially if it’s PVC. It could rupture the pipe. Do not use any open flame.
Check for leaks — if you see any leaks in the pipes, shut off the main water valve to the house and close all faucets.
Add salt to drains — pour a tablespoon down the drain, but don’t add water. The sudden temperature change could crack the pipe.
Source: AdvantaClean
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”COMING WEDNESDAY” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Extremely cold weather is the prime season for residential fires. Officials are reminding people of the importance of having working smoke detectors and taking precautions to prevent disaster.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
