Weather related delays and cancellations

View school related closings/delays

CANCELLATIONS/DELAYS

• IU South Bend: Classes and activities at 5:30 p.m. or later have been cancelled for Tuesday, January 22 due to icy conditions.
• Buchanan community schools: All evening games and practices are cancelled due to the weather.
• Mishawaka: Due to freezing rain and poor hill conditions George Wilson Park will close at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday.
• Studebaker Museum closing at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Will reopen on Wednesday
• All Saint Joseph County Public Library buildings will close at 4:30 p.m. today, January 22, due to inclement weather.
• Dowagiac Union: Due to the inclement weather, the home and away basketball games with Paw Paw have been cancelled. Pathfinders Adult Education is also closed Tuesday night.
• Goshen Schools: All Goshen Middle School after school activities are cancelled for this evening (1/22/19) due to severe weather.
• Mishawaka High School: Academic teams practice canceled, play practice cancelled, swim meet postponed until Wednesday.
• John Young Middle School all after school activities canceled
• Due to freezing rain, all PCSC (Plymouth schools) school activities originally scheduled after school, on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, have been postponed or canceled.

TRAFFIC/TRAVEL ADVISORIES

Check out the maps for travel conditions in your county.

• Indiana travel advisory map
• Michigan traffic updates

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.

Caution: Carbon Monoxide Kills

• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
• The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire.
• Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.
• If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.
• Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.