CLOSINGS/DELAYS

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• Service on the Interurban Trolley and Interurban Trolley ADA Access Service will be suspended at 6:00 p.m. Friday. Normal service is expected to resume Saturday. 
• St. Joseph County, Indiana offices are closed
• City of Elkhart offices are closed
• City of Goshen offices are closed
• New York Central Railroad Museum (Elkhart) - Closed Friday and Saturday, likely reopens Sunday
• NIBCO Water & Ice Park (Elkhart) - Closed Friday and Saturday, likely reopens Sunday
• Tolson Community and Youth Center (Elkhart) - Closed Friday and Saturday, likely reopens Monday
• All Van Buren County Government offices will close at 1:00 p.m.
• Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets is closed Friday, Feb. 9. The center will resume regular hours Saturday Feb. 10.
• Niles City Hall, Niles History Center and the Building Safety Division office are now CLOSED for the day due to the inclement weather. Niles DART (Dial A Ride Services) have been suspended also for the day. No Route Bus will be operating.
• The Third House Town Hall forum scheduled for noon Friday at the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce has been cancelled due to inclement weather.
• Lunch with the League at the South Bend Chocolate Company is cancelled Friday
• Memorial HealthWorks! Kids' Museum in South Bend is closed Friday
• AMVETs Auxiliary post 1978 Niles Michigan all Auxiliary functions cancelled for 2/09/2018 and 02/10/2018
• Hart Industries Inc. is closed Friday
• Salvation Army Niles is closed Friday
• American National University is closed Friday
• Lylabugs and Buttons Child Care Center in Benton Harbor is closed Friday
• Bridgman Schools Aquatic Center and Community Weight Room
• Elkhart Public Library is closed Friday
• ADEC transportation services are closed, but facilities are open as scheduled
• Southwestern Medical Clinic Center for Women’s Health

TRAFFIC/TRAVEL ADVISORIES

Check out the maps for travel conditions in your county.

• Indiana travel advisory map
• Michigan traffic updates
• South Bend International Airport Departures
• South Bend International Airport Arrivals

POWER OUTAGES:

• Indiana Michigan Power: Report an outage | Power outage map
• NIPSCO: Report a power outage 800-464-7726 | Outage map
• Consumers Energy Outage map | Report an outage 
• Midwest Energy Coop Outage map and report an outage

IF YOU GET STRANDED WHILE DRIVING

The Indiana State Police have released the following tips if you get stranded in your vehicle.

• Before you leave, let someone know your route of travel.
• Always keep your gas tank full when driving in cold weather.
• Carry a winter survival kit in your car which is to include: blankets, extra warm clothes, flashlight, extra batteries, brightly colored cloth, sand or a bag of cat litter, shovel, candles and matches, non perishable high calorie foods, (nuts, raisins, and protein or energy bars), newspapers (for insulation), a first aid kit and jumper cables.
• Do not leave your car if stranded, it is your best protection. Do not panic, an idling car only uses an average of one gallon of gas per hour. • Roll down a window a very small amount for fresh air.
• Make sure the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• At night, leave your dome light on.
• Always have your cell phone and a charger so you can call the Indiana State Police or local police.

SAFETY TIPS FROM THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

Put Together a Supply Kit

• Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day
• Food—at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.)
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
• Tools/supplies for securing your home
• Sand, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter to make walkways and steps less slippery
• Warm coats, gloves or mittens, hats, boots and extra blankets and warm clothing for all household members
• Ample alternate heating methods such as fireplaces or wood- or coal-burning stoves

Remaining Safe During a Winter Storm

• Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels for critical information on snow storms and blizzards from the National Weather Service (NWS).
• Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas and make sure that their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles.
• Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside and kept clear.
• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• Go to a designated public shelter if your home loses power or heat during periods of extreme cold.
• Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle.
• Before tackling strenuous tasks in cold temperatures, consider your physical condition, the weather factors and the nature of the task.
• Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible.
• Help people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.