Limited government tomorrow
The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners has decided to close all Hamilton County government offices on Tuesday. This includes county courts, offices, buildings and parks. Essential public safety employees will remain active and on duty.
The City of Noblesville also will only be staffed by essential personnel as government offices will be closed. Noblesville City Court is canceled for Tuesday. Those scheduled to appear on Jan. 7 should call 776-6344 after 8 a.m. Wednesday to inquire about their new court date and/or to request a payment extension.
Clearing roads
The city has released the following statement about the street clearing:
“The City of Noblesville would like to thank everyone for their patience during these recent extreme weather conditions. Please be assured that the Street Department crews are plowing the streets as quickly as possible. Every available vehicle is being used to help with snow plowing and Street Department crews continue to work around the clock. Crews are divided into two shifts and each shift is working twelve hours. We realize not everyone is happy with the rate at which roads are being cleared; however, the amount of snow received combined with the blowing and drifting and below-zero temperatures and wind chills have made for extremely challenging situations. We are continuing to work as quickly as possible and as safely as possible.
As has been mentioned previously, if at all possible, please do not park your vehicle(s) on the street as this slows down the plowing process. As a reminder, roads in Noblesville are classified into primary, secondary, or alternate routes. While a storm is going on, crews generally are able to treat only the primary routes. After a storm has passed and it stops snowing, then the crews are able to start addressing secondary and then alternate routes. Unfortunately, at this time it is very difficult to provide ETA’s as to when certain roads/areas will be plowed. This is due to various factors such as snow being harder for the plows to move at certain times due to low temperatures (this results in slower plowing times), significant blowing and drifting on primary routes (which causes crews to have to re-plow those primary routes), etc.
Again, we are working as quickly as possible and as safely as possible given these circumstances. Thank you for your understanding and continued patience.”
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
According to the National Weather Service, the following preliminary snow totals were reported to in Hamilton County as of 6:45 a.m. today: Westfield, 13 inches; Carmel 12 inches; Noblesville, 10.5 inches; Fishers, 10.1; and Cicero, 9.5. The highest amount listed was Tipton with 15 inches.
This could take more than one day to clean up
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office advises that the county is under a “Blowing Snow Advisory” until midnight and a “Wind Chill Advisory” until Tuesday. Extremely cold temperatures remain a threat to life so officials urge residents to remain at home or in a safe, warm place. Temperatures are expected to remain subzero with wind chills at -20 to -30. Please check on those in the neighborhood who may need assistance. Also please make sure fire hydrants are cleared of snow in case of an emergency. The weight of the snow and ice is also causing concerns for structures and trees in the county.
Schools closed Tuesday
All Noblesville Schools will be closed Tuesday. Monday also was closed for the school district but was supposed to be a professional work day for staff members. Tuesday was slated as the day students were to return from winter break.
Keep us in the loop
Have photos or stories you want to share about how you spent the snow day or the conditions around your home? Email [email protected]
Trash piling up
Republic Services has announced that Noblesville residents who have regular trash pickups on Wednesdays through Fridays will have their regular pickup this week as normal. Residents who normally have Monday pickups will have a double pickup on Jan. 13; and residents who have Tuesday pickups will have a double pickup on Jan. 14. Residents who will have double pickups next Monday and Tuesday are asked to put the extra trash bags right next to their Republic Services trash container. For more information regarding this temporary schedule, contact Republic Services at 917-7300.
Monday meeting canceled
The City of Noblesville Common Council organization meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014 at 5:30pm. The meeting will be at Noblesville City Hall, 16 S. 10th Street, Noblesville, IN 46060 and will be held in the Council Chambers on the second floor.
No fines for library
The Hamilton East Public Library-Noblesville branch was closed today (no decision has been made for Tuesday yet). Officials said that items due today will be forgiven as no overdue fines will accrue today. In the meantime, patrons can visit HEPL @ Home (www.hepl.lib.in.us/node/264) to access their library account, databases and downloadable ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, music and movies.
Traveling restrictions
Hamilton County public officials conferenced earlier today and the decision was made to leave the current travel restrictions in place for county maintained roads. A Travel Warning is in effect for county roads north of Ind. 32. Only emergency responders are out on the roads and the public should refrain from traveling on county roads north of Ind. 32. A Travel Watch is in effect for county maintained roads south of Ind. 32. This advisory means only emergency travel or travel to and from work is advised. County highway workers described north/south roads in the northern part of the county as problematic with blowing and drifting snow covering roadways soon after being plowed. East/west roads are slightly better but all roads are still dangerous for travel. These restrictions are for county roads only. Each municipality sets its own travel advisory levels.
Powerless people/ Limited need for shelter
Hamilton County recently experienced a major upswing in power outages reported by Duke Energy. There are currently nearly 6,000 homes without power, many in the Fishers area. Any Hamilton County resident in need of warmth or shelter may go to Carmel High School, 520 E. Main Street. Please enter through Door 21 on the northeast part of the building.
Deputy Bryant Orem with the sheriff’s office reported that 20 people have sought assistance at the emergency shelter located at Carmel High School. Carmel Police Dept. has an officer on the scene and says that 14 people have taken shelter at the school.
“If the power outages are extended, public safety officials will look at opening another shelter but at this time Carmel High School is the only open shelter in Hamilton County,” Orem stated.