Commissioners Sign Level 3 Disaster Declaration
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
It was just one more indication of how bad the weather had turned over the past two days.
The county had a blizard warning in effect until 7 a.m. today, with a wind chill warning remaining in effect throughout the day.
The declaration states Kosciusko “has been impacted by or is immediately threatened by a significant winter storm on the days of Jan. 5 & 6, 2014, resulting in extensive snowfall and aggravated by high winds and extremely cold temperatures ... we, the Kosciusko County Board of Commissioners, declare that a local disaster emergency exists in the county and that we hereby invoke and declare those portions of the Indiana Code which are applicable to the conditions and have caused the issuance of this proclamation, to be in full force and effect in the county for the exercise of all necessary emergency authority for protection of the lives and property of the people of this county and the restoration of local government with a minimum of interruption.”
It also states that all travel on unincorporated roadways in the county is prohibited except: to and from and in the performance of work; emergency response; and other travel as directed by the commissioners.
“All public offices and employees of Kosciusko County are hereby directed to exercise the utmost diligence in the discharge of duties required of them for the duration of the emergency and in execution of emergency laws, regulations, and directives – state and local,” the declaration continues. “All citizens are called upon and directed to comply with necessary emergency measures, to cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans, and to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.”
Emergency Management Director Ed Rock this morning said the declaration is in effect until it’s changed or for seven days, whichever comes first.
“We’ve got the (Emergency Operations Center) open and phones manned. If someone needs assistance, we will do the best to assist. It has to be an emergency situation. I will not put anyone’s life at risk unless it’s a life-threatening situation,” Rock said.
He said the county pulled the snowplows off the road Sunday at 6 p.m. because they couldn’t keep up with the snowfall. The trucks were put at emergency services locations, like the fire stations, to lead the way if a fire truck or ambulance was called out to an emergency.
The EOC, Rock said, makes sure emergency services are not duplicated or wasting resources, especially in conditions like Indiana is facing now.
All Kosciusko County government offices and the City of Warsaw are closed today. Other locations that announced they will be closed today include Cardinal Services Clinic, Lutheran Medical Group’s cardiology and allergy clinics in Warsaw, Village at Winona, Manchester University, Ivy Tech, all area schools and Warsaw Adult Education programs at the Gateway Education Center.
Due to the inclement weather conditions, the Warsaw Community Schools’ staff records day, scheduled for today, was postponed to Tuesday. Classes resume for Warsaw students on Wednesday.
The annual organizational meeting of the Warsaw School Board is postponed from tonight to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Educational Services Center.
The Mentone Town Council meeting has been rescheduled from tonight to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 in the Mentone Community Emergency Services Building, according to Council President Tim Croy.
The Warsaw City Council meeting scheduled for tonight has been cancelled, according to an email from Mayor Joe Thallemer.
Thallemer also said there will be no trash pick-up today or Tuesday.
The Lakeland Regional Sewer District has cancelled its monthly meeting which was scheduled for tonight at 6 p.m. in the North Webster Community Center. The meeting was already postponed from Monday and a new date has not yet been set.
The United States Postal Service announced it will make every effort to deliver mail today and through the week. It asks that everyone, if it’s safe for them to do so, to clear snow and ice from pathways to their mailboxes.
“Snow and ice can make delivery hazardous,” said Greater Indiana District Manager Larry Diegel. “Maintaining a clear path to the mail box – including steps, porches, walkways and street approach – will help letter carriers maintain consistent delivery service and help them get mail, especially critical mail delivered.”
Customers receiving door delivery should make sure their sidewalks, steps and porches are clear. Customers receiving curbside delivery should remove snow piles left by snow plows to keep access to their mailboxes clear for letter carriers.
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It was just one more indication of how bad the weather had turned over the past two days.
The county had a blizard warning in effect until 7 a.m. today, with a wind chill warning remaining in effect throughout the day.
The declaration states Kosciusko “has been impacted by or is immediately threatened by a significant winter storm on the days of Jan. 5 & 6, 2014, resulting in extensive snowfall and aggravated by high winds and extremely cold temperatures ... we, the Kosciusko County Board of Commissioners, declare that a local disaster emergency exists in the county and that we hereby invoke and declare those portions of the Indiana Code which are applicable to the conditions and have caused the issuance of this proclamation, to be in full force and effect in the county for the exercise of all necessary emergency authority for protection of the lives and property of the people of this county and the restoration of local government with a minimum of interruption.”
It also states that all travel on unincorporated roadways in the county is prohibited except: to and from and in the performance of work; emergency response; and other travel as directed by the commissioners.
“All public offices and employees of Kosciusko County are hereby directed to exercise the utmost diligence in the discharge of duties required of them for the duration of the emergency and in execution of emergency laws, regulations, and directives – state and local,” the declaration continues. “All citizens are called upon and directed to comply with necessary emergency measures, to cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans, and to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.”
Emergency Management Director Ed Rock this morning said the declaration is in effect until it’s changed or for seven days, whichever comes first.
“We’ve got the (Emergency Operations Center) open and phones manned. If someone needs assistance, we will do the best to assist. It has to be an emergency situation. I will not put anyone’s life at risk unless it’s a life-threatening situation,” Rock said.
He said the county pulled the snowplows off the road Sunday at 6 p.m. because they couldn’t keep up with the snowfall. The trucks were put at emergency services locations, like the fire stations, to lead the way if a fire truck or ambulance was called out to an emergency.
The EOC, Rock said, makes sure emergency services are not duplicated or wasting resources, especially in conditions like Indiana is facing now.
All Kosciusko County government offices and the City of Warsaw are closed today. Other locations that announced they will be closed today include Cardinal Services Clinic, Lutheran Medical Group’s cardiology and allergy clinics in Warsaw, Village at Winona, Manchester University, Ivy Tech, all area schools and Warsaw Adult Education programs at the Gateway Education Center.
Due to the inclement weather conditions, the Warsaw Community Schools’ staff records day, scheduled for today, was postponed to Tuesday. Classes resume for Warsaw students on Wednesday.
The annual organizational meeting of the Warsaw School Board is postponed from tonight to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Educational Services Center.
The Mentone Town Council meeting has been rescheduled from tonight to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 in the Mentone Community Emergency Services Building, according to Council President Tim Croy.
The Warsaw City Council meeting scheduled for tonight has been cancelled, according to an email from Mayor Joe Thallemer.
Thallemer also said there will be no trash pick-up today or Tuesday.
The Lakeland Regional Sewer District has cancelled its monthly meeting which was scheduled for tonight at 6 p.m. in the North Webster Community Center. The meeting was already postponed from Monday and a new date has not yet been set.
The United States Postal Service announced it will make every effort to deliver mail today and through the week. It asks that everyone, if it’s safe for them to do so, to clear snow and ice from pathways to their mailboxes.
“Snow and ice can make delivery hazardous,” said Greater Indiana District Manager Larry Diegel. “Maintaining a clear path to the mail box – including steps, porches, walkways and street approach – will help letter carriers maintain consistent delivery service and help them get mail, especially critical mail delivered.”
Customers receiving door delivery should make sure their sidewalks, steps and porches are clear. Customers receiving curbside delivery should remove snow piles left by snow plows to keep access to their mailboxes clear for letter carriers.
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