This story has been updated to reflect a downgrade in the county’s travel advisory.
HANCOCK COUNTY — Heavy snow moved into Hancock County early Monday afternoon, making travel difficult and threatening public safety.
At 4 p.m., as the swirling storm showed no sign of letting up, the Hancock County Emergency Management Agency put county travel in the “Orange” category, meaning only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended.
The large winter storm is threatening close to 150 million people across a wide swath of the country, from Main to Texas.
Total accumulations are expected to be anywhere from 8 to 11 inches, which would be the heaviest accumulation in at least three years. A snowfall total on the upper end of that forecast would be one of the largest ever.
The hazardous conditions will impact commutes at least through Tuesday. A winter storm warning was in effect until 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
The heavy snow will be complicated by temperatures a full 20 to 25 degrees below normal. High temperatures will struggle to make it into the 20s, while low temperatures will be in the single digits. Wind-chill effects will make it feel as if its well below zero.
February has been much colder than normal, according to weather service data. The high temperature has not been above freezing since Feb. 6, and the high was below normal on 13 of the first 14 days of the month. Temperatures are expected to remain well below normal — which this time of year is 39 degrees — for the next several days. A relative warm-up could occur by next weekend, the weather service said.
People who need shelter from the snow and extremely cold weather in the next several days may seek overnight refuge at Hancock Hope House, 35 E. Pierson St., Greenfield.
The county’s homeless shelter is setting up its family living room as a temporary overnight space from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m.
People who must travel are urged to pack an emergency kit consisting of blankets, flashlights, snacks and water. Information on road conditions is available by calling the Indiana State Police at 800-261-7623. Please do not call 911 to find out conditions of roadways.
The storm, extending from Toronto to southern Texas, is dumping up to a foot of snow across a wide area and will cripple travel and threaten public safety.
The situation early Monday was so dire in Texas — where all 254 counties were under a disaster declaration by the governor — that rotating power outages were initiated. That meant thousands would go without electricity for short periods as temperatures fell into the teens near Dallas and the 20s around Houston.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
