Monroe County’s travel advisory status was moved to a warning at 8:55 a.m. Sunday, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
A travel warning is the highest level of local travel advisory. Road conditions are expected to continue deteriorating, and people should refrain from all travel, unless in an emergency, according to a Facebook post made by Monroe County Emergency Management.
A travel warning directs individuals to comply with emergency directives, cooperate with public officials and disaster services and comply with officers, the DHS says.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency on Saturday due to life-threatening cold temperatures, snowfall and threats to public safety. Braun also initiated Indiana National Guard highway assistance teams due to dangerous road conditions.
President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for the state on Saturday, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide federal disaster assistance.
A winter storm warning for Bloomington is set to continue until 7 a.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Total snow accumulation is predicted to reach 9-13 inches.
The NWS urges people to delay travel if possible. It encourages those who do travel to prepare themselves with a flashlight, food and water. To hear the latest road conditions, drivers can call 511.
Wind chill values could drop to as low as 11 degrees below zero Sunday and 15 degrees below zero Monday. The NWS predicts a north wind of 9-11 mph Sunday, with gusts as high as 22 mph during the day.
To find a list of open warming centers in the area, call 211.
Local closures, postponed events
Bloomington Transit services will not operate Sunday due to dangerous weather and employee and customer safety. A decision about Monday’s services will be made Sunday night, according to a BT Facebook post. The IU Campus Bus Service is also suspended Sunday.
The Monroe County Community Schools Corporation closed all schools for Monday due to the weather and travel warning. There will be no eLearning or meal service, and all in-person programs and after-school activities are canceled for the day.
Bloomington sanitation services are delayed for Monday, and potentially for the week, depending on the weather and travel conditions. The City of Bloomington asks residents to keep their trash carts off the street until further notice.
The Monroe County Court and government offices will be closed Monday.
All IU campus libraries are closed Sunday. All Monroe County Public Library locations and services are closed Sunday and Monday.
The IU women’s tennis match against DePaul University on Sunday was canceled, and the IU wrestling match against Michigan State University on Sunday was postponed to Monday.
The IU Auditorium postponed Sunday evening’s “Cirque Kalabanté” performance, with a new date to be announced.
UPDATE: This story has been updated to include closures within the county.
