SNOW DANGEROUS ROAD IN NORTHWEST INDIANA; SNOW STORM WARNING IS STRETCHED

Strong winds and heavy snowfall combined to whiteout conditions and treacherous journey in northwestern Indiana. They have been reported snow totals of a foot or more, including 15 inches Ceder Lake, 12 inches Valparaiso, just over 11 inches in Schererville and about 10 1/2 inches in Crown Point. Porter County declared a state of emergency shortly after 5: 30 pm Only emergency vehicles, plows and utility vehicles are allowed on the roads until the declaration nancy. Authorities say rapidly accumulates snow, blowing and drifting at rates that are very dangerous for travelers and county plow trucks can not keep up. 

Towing policy is in force in Gary. Gary police have issued a warrant to tow all vehicles parked on city streets designated as snow routes. Residents must move their cars. From 21:30 NIPSCO said there are currently 21,000 power outages across its coverage area with the majority in Lake and Porter counties, and 39,000 have been restored. 

The teams are working to assess the damage and restore the power and utility contractors neighbors are supporting their efforts, but says he hopes NIPSCO cleaning will take more than a day. Several drivers were rescued from cars and even semi-finals after being trapped in blowing snow. Even some police cars were immobilized. The ramp of Interstate 65 was closed by the state police for a while, due to stranded drivers, their cars and trucks stuck in the snow. 

"A guy went to the side of the road and got stuck, and then everyone was trying to push and I could not get it to go," said Bill Spork Valparaiso. Moffitt and her son Justin Landan launched to help stranded motorists. They have helped at least 15 people, pulling them out of the snow. "My hope is that someone will do it for once my wife if she is always stuck," 

he said. Hackel Gus and his friends also faced strong winds to lend a hand. "We have been pushing people and connecting tow straps and pulling them out of the snow,"

Hackel said. accidents spin-out in snowbanks were common along the roads. There was even a cyclist found making their way on two wheels, but it is not recommended. Indiana State Police asked residents to watch the news, listen to the radio or check the Internet for updates on weather and road conditions during the storm, instead of calling the police so they can respond to emergency calls during the storm.

Drivers should call * 999 for assistance from the Illinois State Police or lane Highway Patrol emergency turnpike. Officials also said oasis of toll roads are good places to stop if travelers need a break from driving in the snow. Some managed to leave work early for the sake of hazardous driving conditions. "They know that the wind is picking up. 

They want us to be home with our families instead of working," said Chip Mattis. snowplows and salt trucks are on the road and teams are asking drivers to stay home if possible. "Right now just give us the street," says Gary Gleason, Hammond Director of Public Works. "Because you know, someone meets us there is someone in the other car, which closes the truck down."

Most government offices close for lunch and schools did not open at all. That was a double-edged sword for some students. "We received a call saying he had no school, so I was like, yay! No school! Going to Grandma and Grandpa's house," says 13-year-old Angelle Czaja. "Now I'm here to help shovel snow."

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