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LIVE UPDATES: Winter storm takes aim on Central Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS — A winter storm warning has been issued for much of Central Indiana, and some areas could see 6-12 inches of snow by Thursday night.

As of Thursday morning, most counties in Indiana are under a travel status.

Emergency management and public safety officials who spoke with WRTV are urging people to stay off the roads if possible.

MORE |  Indianapolis Weather Forecast | Indiana county travel map | Indiana Weather Radar | Indianapolis Snow Force plow tracker | Photos | Flights canceled at Indianapolis International Airport | Winter weather safety: Now is the time to prepare for a winter storm

Follow this blog for updates:

City of Lawrence offices will be closed again Friday, Deputy Chief of Lawrence Police Department Gary Woodruff said.

Emergency, public safety and public works personnel will report for work as scheduled, Woodruff added.

Indiana State Police responded to several crashes throughout the day and are urging drivers to stay off major highways tonight and, in some areas, tomorrow.

Sgt. John Perrine with ISP Indianapolis tweeted at 8:40 p.m. Thursday that they responded to the following over the last 24 hours:

• 51 crashes (2 with injuries)
• 57 slideoffs
• 151 Motorist Assists (disabled vehicles, vehicles stuck etc.)

Here's what other conditions ISP dealt with:

Bloomington

Conditions in the area became most severe around noon when it started snowing and then worsened throughout the day, said Sgt. Michael Wood with ISP's Bloomington district.

The district's northern part, which encompasses Morgan County, was hit harder by snow, while in Monroe County crews dealt with a mix of slush and rain.

"INDOT had a pretty good handle on things ... but once the snow started to hit, it all kind of went downhill," Wood said.

Wood added that additional troopers were brought out to aid in the response, though there were no serious crashes and not many drivers out.

"Kudos to the public for heading our advice," he said.

Troopers will continue to respond Thursday night into Friday morning, according to Wood.

Putnamville

Troopers in the Putnamville District responded Thursday to 17 slide-offs, 12 property damage accidents and 39 calls for drivers in need of assistance, according to Sgt. Matthew Aimes.

Aimes told WRTV that roads were "very slick and hazardous" about 7 p.m. due to a combination of snow and ice, along with very strong winds blowing over lanes.

There were no accidents resulting in serious injuries or death at the time, Aimes said.

Aimes said anyone driving in wintry conditions like today's should leave for their destinations 30 to 40 minutes ahead of time, slow down, use their headlights and seatbelts, and leave extra distance between their vehicle and others.

Drivers should also slow down and get into an opposite lane when they see an emergency vehicle on the road, Aimes said.

State police tracked a total of 21 crashes and 41 slide-offs from midnight to 7 p.m. Thursday, compared to 47 crashes and 74 slide-offs the day before, according to Sgt. Jeremy Piers with the Lafayette District.

Local roads conditions were poor late Thursday in his district, also due to ice and snow. The biggest trouble area for first responders was Interstate 65 near State Road 22 and U.S. 231, Piers said.

Troopers had not received any reports of wrecks resulting in death or serious injury.

Sgt. Tony Slocum described local road conditions as "horrible."

He said about 7:10 p.m. that there was severe drifting on east and westbound roads because of strong winds, with north to southbound roads still covered in snow.

Some country roads in the district's southern portion were impossible to drive on, he added.

The situation was so bad in some parts that ISP is asking people to not drive Friday.

However, there were no reports of any crashes causing death or serious injuries.

Roads were slushy and ice-covered throughout the area, especially along a 45-mile stretch of I-65 in Jackson and Bartholomew counties, said Sgt. Stephen Wheeles.

From about 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., police responded to roughly 10 or less crashes and a few slide-off, which Wheeles attributed to drivers heading the weather warnings and staying home.

There were no fatal or life-threatening crashes.

The Indiana Department of Transportation expects a full call-out of trucks treating roads until at least noon Friday, INDOT spokeswoman Mallory Duncan told WRTV.

The agency will reevaluate the situation at noon, but at the time being its main priority is to have the roads cleaned, Duncan said.

Duncan urged anyone driving Friday to travel cautiously and be wary of any crews out working.

"They may be half in a lane and half on the shoulder, so be very careful – especially if you don’t know where the lanes are. We’re going to try to get all this snow off the roads so people can see the roads (and) see the different lanes again and get home safe," Duncan said.

Local officials are reporting very hazardous conditions across their counties.

Here's what they're saying:

Marion County

Dan Parker, director of the Indianapolis Department of Public Works, told WRTV that crews had made significant progress by 5 p.m. Thursday but still had much work left to do overnight.

Once the snowfall stops, contractors will be mobilized to work on residential streets, which will add another 172 trucks to the response, Parker said.

"We're going to continue to attack this all night long," Parker said.

Parker also noted that many main streets were open and passable late Thursday but urged residents to stay home overnight.

Roads are expected to be more driveable Friday — especially once the sun comes out, Parker said.

Miami County

"Roads are in very, very bad shape," Emergency Management Assistant Director Dave Moon said late Thursday.

Moon said about 5:10 p.m. that response crews were getting ready to wrap up for the day but still had yet to get to sidewalks. However, main streets were cleared.

Heavy snowfall made it difficult for crews to navigate. As a result, country roads were in worse shape, Moon said.

Moon also noted that severe weather caused issues for fire crews while they responded to an overnight trailer fire. Tankers could not get to the trailer and had to lay about 450 feet of hose to combat the blaze.

No one was home at the time and there were no injuries, Moon said.

Putnam County

"It has been tough with the wind to get a good measurement. That's why we went to red status a little bit earlier," said Russ Evans, spokesman for Putnam County Emergency Management.

Evans added that strong winds significantly reduced visibility and that cleanup crews had a hard time keeping up with the amount of snowfall.

He expected crews to continue responding overnight into Friday morning but noted that it could take a few days for crews to catch up completely.

Total snowfall estimates were about 5.7 inches in Greencastle and 7 inches near Reelsville by about 7:30 p.m., Evans said.

Wayne County

As of late Thursday afternoon, Wayne County was on a travel watch with "no plans to change," said Emergency Management Director Matthew Cain.

All roads were impacted by snowfall, though those in unincorporated areas were in worse condition, according to Cain.

Boone County Commissioners have declared a county-wide State of Emergency and upgraded to a travel warning beginning at 5 p.m., according to the Town of Whitestown.

From Indianapolis Public Schools:

Due to inclement weather, Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) will continue with remote learning for all students and staff on Friday, February 4. Students will NOT participate in in-person learning on Friday; schools will share more details with families on whether students will engage in synchronous or asynchronous learning. Meal distribution will not be available on Friday. Student athletes should check with their coaches on the status of contests (games). Note: IPS Innovation schools might follow a different schedule, so please check with your school for more details. IPS employees, please follow the Report-to-Work guidance for School Closure on the Human Resources page at www.myips.org . If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor.

Bloomington Transit: "Due to hazardous road conditions, All BT bus service will end early today. Rts, 1, 2, 3, and 4 last departure times from Transit Center will occur at 6:10 PM. Rte 5 last run departs at 5:40. Rte 7 ends at 6:15. Rte 6 ends at 6:30 at The Arch. Rte 9 ends at 6:15 at The Monroe."

A crash involving multiple semi-trucks has closed all lanes of Interstate 70 westbound near the 47-mile marker near Cloverdale, ISP Sgt. Matt Ames said. No injuries have been reported.

Photo from the accident on I-70 at the 47 mm westbound. All lanes are open now. pic.twitter.com/HB2bMEoZZK — Sgt. Matt Ames (@ISPPutnamville) February 3, 2022

INDOT is providing an update on Indiana road conditions. Here's what you need to know:

• A full callout is still in place and just under 1,000 trucks are still on the roads.
• INDOT will remain in a full callout until at least noon Friday.
• Across the state, INDOT is fully staffed to cover all of the routes.
• Crews have been staying in hotels to be closer to work and are working 12-hour shifts.
• In the Indianapolis area, INDOT crews have already used more than 3,00 tons of salt. Crews will likely use several more thousand tons of salt as they continue treating the roads.

Here’s a look at Anderson moments ago. The wind is blowing snow around as it’s coming down. @wrtv pic.twitter.com/X7WPhrwBp3 — Nikki DeMentri (@nikkidementri) February 3, 2022

Can confirm south of Pendleton Pike is just as bad. @wrtv https://t.co/J2xk94glKL — Kelsey Anderson (@kanderson_WRTV) February 3, 2022

All Indiana Department of Health COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites will again be closed Friday due to the winter storm. The closures include the clinic across from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

People who had an appointment at a state-run site will receive instructions on how to reschedule. IDOH advised people to call ahead if they have an appointment or are planning a walk-in visit at sites operated by local health departments or other entities.

More information can be found on IDOH's main COVID-19 page or at the state's vaccination scheduling website .

Randolph County EMA said as this picture shows, travel and road conditions are becoming treacherous.

"If these trucks, loaded with sand, can go off-road, then it's easy to believe most motorists should not be out on the roadways," a tweet from Randolph County EMA wrote.

The left two lanes of Interstate 69 northbound are closed near 96th Street due to a crash.

Indianapolis has received about three inches of snow with more to come. Here's a look at snowfall totals from around the state.

Power has been restored to more than 4,000 customers in Anderson.

Snow continues to expand across Central Indiana this morning. Snowfall rates could exceed 1” per hour at times. Areas in pink could see some sleet mix in with the snow. #INwx ⁦ @wrtv ⁩ pic.twitter.com/bSyWnmlaR2 — Kyle Mounce (@kylemounce) February 3, 2022

The INDOT plow cameras are working again. You can see what Indiana road conditions are like here .

Two traffic alerts from Indiana State Police on Interstate 74.

#TrafficAlert I-74 EB at the 111 mile marker is closed for a jackknifed semi EB traffic is being diverted at Exit 109, traffic can take Frontage Road, which parallels I-74, for 4 miles and can get back on at the 113 Extended clean-up expected — Sgt. John Perrine (@ISPIndianapolis) February 3, 2022

🚨I-74 Closed-Decatur County🚨 Multiple jackknifed semis on I-74 Westbound near the 125 mile marker in western Decatur County has I-74 WB shut down. Traffic is being diverted off of I-74 at the 132 mile marker near Greensburg. pic.twitter.com/kHh2mhCgV5 — Sgt. Stephen Wheeles (@ISPVersailles) February 3, 2022

From the Lafayette Police Department: "In an effort to allow our Street Department crews to clear the roads for safer travel, Lafayette Police have begun enforcement of the Snow Emergency parking procedures. If you know of anyone who has a vehicle parked on a marked Snow Emergency route, contact them to have the vehicle moved immediately. Any vehicles remaining on the roadways are subject to impound and fines."

Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine said in the last 12 hours, troopers from the Indianapolis post have responded to 39 motorist assists, 13 slide-offs and 25 crashes. People were injured in three of those crashes.

City of Anderson says around 4,400 customers are without power right now. @wrtv pic.twitter.com/1mHGDM8oCx — Ray Steele (@RaySteeleRTV6) February 3, 2022

Indiana State Police Sgt. Matt Ames said in the last 12 hours, troopers from the Putnamville post have responded to 13 motorist assists, 7 slide-offs and 7 property damage crashes.

Olio Road in Fishers is a sheet of ice this morning. Hamilton County is under a travel watch. Take it slow if you have to get out and about. pic.twitter.com/naigTwAU9Q — Kelsey Anderson (@kanderson_WRTV) February 3, 2022

The Boone County Sheriff's Office said all lanes of East State Road 32 are closed west of US 421 due to an INDOT truck that rolled over. Deputy Wesley Garst said no injuries have been reported and this is a property damage crash only.

BCSO Traffic Alert: 9100 block of E SR 32 all lanes are shut down, due to a INDOT plow truck roll over. Avoid the area for the next 60 minutes. — Boone County Sheriff (@boonecosheriff) February 3, 2022

About 2,000 Duke Energy customers are without power. Nearly half are in southwestern Indiana where there was heavy ice buildup prior to the snow.

Carmel street department killing it as always! We’re out checking road conditions this morning, and so far plows are keeping up! pic.twitter.com/asXmNaWXN8 — Carmel Fire (@CarmelFireDept) February 3, 2022

Even though you may be waking up tonless snow than forecasted, we still have a whole day of snowfall ahead of us- roads are snow and ice covered and very slick. Winds are starting to drift the snow as well. We urge you to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. pic.twitter.com/oDNfs81Fo1 — Delaware County Emergency Management (@DelawareCoEM) February 3, 2022

The Hamilton County EMA has posted several updates from around the county this morning.

Winter storm warning travel update in @NoblesvilleIN on State Road 37. Notice the strong north winds in the flags. #INwx pic.twitter.com/GQa4pyiBnO — Hamilton County Emergency Management (@HamiltonCoEOC) February 3, 2022

Troopers are on the scene of an overturned vehicle on I-65 Southbound near the 76 mile marker in northern Bartholomew County. The left lane is blocked. Roads are starting to get ice covered. Bridges and overpasses will be the slickest. pic.twitter.com/qe58HK9aec — Sgt. Stephen Wheeles (@ISPVersailles) February 3, 2022

WRTV Photographer Shea Goodpaster said this crash on Interstate 74 westbound near State Road 244 in Shelby County has cleared.

Most flights into and out of the Indianapolis International Airport are already canceled for today. WRTV's Rafael Sanchez is reporting only about 30 flights are still scheduled to arrive in or depart from the airport.

Breaking: Only 33 flights are scheduled to serve Indy Int’l Airport today due to weather. On a normal day, it’s 160 flights. Today 2,777 people are set to leave or arrive in Indy versus 8,000 to 12,000 on a regular day. @wrtv pic.twitter.com/Y3xnFmE5az — Rafael Sánchez (@RafaelOnTV) February 3, 2022

Most counties in Indiana are under a travel advisory, watch or warning. Read more here .

Widespread accumulating snowfall today. Snow replaces the variety of weather we had yesterday. pic.twitter.com/VNwempGLjK — Kevin Gregory (@KevinGWRTV) February 3, 2022

All counties surrounding Marion County had issued a travel advisory or travel warning, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security's website showed.

Marion County is not yet under an advisory, watch or warning to date.

Purdue University has canceled all in-person classes scheduled for Thursday and is requiring all nonessential personnel to work remotely if possible.

The status of classes for Friday will be communicated later, the university said in an announcement.

The Indianapolis Department of Public Works has called on its Indy Snow Force plow drivers to treat local roads with salt.

Rainfall earlier Wednesday prevented pre-treatment of the roads because salt likely would have been washed away, the Department said.

Residents who usually park their cars along plow routes were urged to park off-street if possible. Any spaces where a car is parked cannot be plowed.

Public Works also announced all trash and recycling services will be suspended on Thursday and Friday.

Additionally, Saturday operations for the Citizens' Transfer Station and the rotating ToxDrop location have been suspended.

Upon orders from Gov. Eric Holcomb, nearly 240 Indiana National Guardsmen are responding to assist local authorities during severe weather across the state.

A total of 60 highway teams will assist, including 20 each in the northern, southern and central parts of the state, 14 in the south and an additional six for any areas with extreme weather impacts.

The guardsmen will be based in armories in South Bend, Lafayette, Gary, Fort Wayne, Lawrence, Terre Haute, Richmond, Camp Atterbury, New Albany, Evansville, Bloomington and Scottsburg.

There will be no trash or recycling services in Carmel on Thursday, and the City announced.

Friday services may also be delayed, based on the amount of snowfall.. Republic Services of Carmel may hold extended hours over the weekend to make up for the delay, the City said.

Updates are available on Republic Service's website .

Indy Parks Family Centers will be open to the public as warming centers during normal business hours. The city has posted more information on its website .

The Indiana Department of Health is closing all state-run COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites for the rest of the day and on Thursday due to the winter storm.

Those with appointments at the sites will receive instructions on rescheduling their appointments.

City and county offices in Indianapolis and Marion County will be closed Thursday, according to the mayor's office.

Residents can still access services on the city's website , the RequestIndy app or by calling the Mayor's Action Center at 317-327-4622.

Several counties have a travel alert in place across Indiana. Here's a look at the map as of 3:55 p.m.

There will be no trash or recycling pickup on Thursday in Bloomington, city officials announced. Residents are asked to not put their carts out for collection.

A water main break closed eastbound traffic on West 21st Street between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and the Interstate 65 overpass. The closure is expected to last through the evening and motorists should avoid the area, according to Citizens Energy Group.

Heads up: Indy Dept of Public Works says Thur & Fri residential and heavy trash as well as curbside recycling service is suspended this week, including service completed by Republic Services and Waste Management. The Citizens Transfer Station will also be closed this Saturday. — Kara Kenney (@KaraKenney6) February 2, 2022

Purdue University said all in-person classes and meetings after 4 p.m. Wednesday on its West Lafayette campus should be moved online or canceled due to the weather. All non-essential personnel working on campus will be dismissed at 4 p.m.

The operating status for the campus on Thursday hasn't been decided yet.

Here are some tips from AAA on driving safely in winter storm conditions:

• Drive slowly and adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when you’re driving on ice or snow.
• Accelerate or decelerate slowly. Be sure to apply the gas slowly to regain traction to avoid skidding. If you start to skid, steer the car in the same direction the rear wheels are sliding. For example, if your car slides to the left, turn your steering wheel to the left.
• It takes longer to slow down on icy roads, so you should increase your following distance to 5-6 seconds and never tailgate.
• If you have anti-lock brakes, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don’t power up a hill or stop going down a hill.
• Try to avoid coming to a complete stop if you can avoid it. AAA says to keep rolling until a traffic light changes if you can.
• If you get stuck, stay with your vehicle as it provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to find you and walking through a severe winter storm is dangerous. Don’t over-exert yourself while digging out your vehicle and be visible by tying a brightly colored cloth to the antenna of your vehicle or place a cloth at the top of a rolled-up window to signal distress. Keep your dome light on if you’re stuck at nighttime. Also, be sure to clear the exhaust pipe as a blocked pipe can cause carbon monoxide to leak into the vehicle if the engine is running. Finally, stay warm by using whatever is available and conserve fuel.

Federal courthouses in Indianapolis, Evansville, New Albany and Terre Haute will be closed to the public on Thursday.

All proceedings scheduled for Thursday will be rescheduled. Unless otherwise ordered by a judge, all scheduled video and phone proceedings will still take place.

From 4 p.m. Wednesday through 6 a.m. Friday, the University of Indianapolis will close its campus.

"It has been a year with a lot of uncertainty, and while we could create a complex strategy to move some of our 2,500 courses online, we have decided the best idea is to schedule an old-fashioned snow day and close the University," a letter to the campus community read. "We hope this approach will allow you to stay safe during this time, and take care of the other life challenges you may have that are caused by the storm. Storms of this nature can oftentimes create personal emergencies. If you find yourself experiencing a non life-threatening emergency, perhaps due to a loss of power or other personal needs, please contact Student Affairs at (317) 788-3530 for assistance."

The Indianapolis Public Library will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed all day Thursday due to the weather.

About an hour ago, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and state officials gave an update on the storm. Here's what you need to know:

• Holcomb said various agencies and departments are working together and are urging Hoosiers to prepare now.
• The state is "over-prepared" for the storm, Holcomb said.
• As the temperatures drop and the snow moves in, Holcomb is reminding people to check on their neighbors.
• INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness gave an update on INDOT's efforts.

. @INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness gave an update on INDOT’s efforts during the storm. He said it will be tricky for them for several reasons. pic.twitter.com/XKhITstayC — WRTV Indianapolis (@wrtv) February 2, 2022

• McGuinness said in most cases, because the rain is coming before the snow, INDOT crews won't be able to treat the roads.
• A total of 240 Indiana National Guard members will deploy Wednesday and work through the weekend. They will be patrolling roads and helping motorists.
• Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter asked people to understand some of the limitations troopers have.

. @IndStatePolice Superintendent Doug Carter is asking for people to understand some of the limitations troopers have during the winter storm. pic.twitter.com/qeh3RpcTsz — WRTV Indianapolis (@wrtv) February 2, 2022

• Carter also urged people to not get out of their vehicles if they become stranded.
• The Indiana Department of Homeland Security provided an update on its efforts.

Update from @IDHS on its efforts during the winter storm. pic.twitter.com/uWXsBnS1nJ — WRTV Indianapolis (@wrtv) February 2, 2022

Lafayette, Indiana weather

Most of northern Indiana is under a travel advisory or travel watch .

WATCH LIVE | Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is providing an update on the winter storm.

Due to the weather, tonight's Indy Fuel game will begin at 6 p.m. Doors will now open at 5 p.m.

West Lafayette Police Department: "Roads are quickly becoming hazardous, hills especially are very difficult to drive up. If you do not have to be on the roads, stay inside!"

A few counties in Indiana, including Hamilton County, have already issued a travel watch. Several other counties, including Howard and Delaware counties, have issued a travel advisory.

IndyGo warned riders that this week’s winter storm could lead to significant service impacts.

The transit company said riders should wear warm, highly visible clothing so bus drivers can see them at bus stops.

People should leave extra travel time to and from their destination.

IndyGo posts service delays on the IndyGo Rider Alerts Twitter page . They can also be found by texting your five-digit stop number to 463-208-4344.

We're seeing rain this morning in Central Indiana. Conditions will begin changing over to sleet and snow this afternoon. Southern locations will wait longer for snow to arrive. Here is the latest forecast from WRTV meteorologist Todd Klaassen.

The Hamilton County Health Department announced its COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites in Noblesville will close Wednesday "out of an abundance of caution" ahead of the winter storm.

Its vaccination site at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., will be closed all day Wednesday, while the testing site at the Health Department's building, 18030A Foundation Dr., Suite A, will close at 1 p.m.

Both sites will be closed all day Thursday and Friday and will reopen Monday.

Those who made an appointment during hours the sites will be closed will receive a call to reschedule, the Health Department said.

Any Hoosiers who made plans for a walk-in COVID-19 test or vaccine visit was encouraged to check site availability on the Indiana State Department of Health's COVID-19 resources and vaccine information webpages.

The Fishers Health Department is also closing its site on Thursday.

See a weather radar timeline here .

The Indiana Department of Transportation said it will have nearly 1,000 trucks treating and plowing roads beginning Tuesday night. INDOT asked people to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary to allow plow drivers to work safely.

Mayor Joe Hogsett and other city leaders are providing an update on winter storm preparations.

Weather impacts COVID-19 tests and vaccination clinics in Indiana

The Indiana Department of Health announced all state-run COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday due to the storm.

The clinic across from Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be closed Thursday.

Other clinics in the state in Porter, La Porte, St. Joseph, Pulaski, Huntington, DeKalb, Cass, Fountain/Warren, Shelby, Madison, Howard, Vigo and Vermillion counties will also be closed Thursday.

IDOH said schedules for sites south of Johnson County will be assessed based on weather conditions. People can find updates on the state's main COVID-19 page and vaccination scheduling site .

People with appointments at a state-run vaccination or testing site will be notified if the site closes and will receive instructions about how to reschedule, according to IDOH.

Here is the look at the forecast from WRTV meteorologist Todd Klaassen.

• Find the latest forecast from WRTV meteorologists here .
• Preparations for the winter storm are ongoing in Central Indiana. Here are some ways you can get ready and stay safe.
• Expect lots of school and business closings later this week. WRTV will have a complete list .
• Download the Storm Shield app on your iOS or Android device for the latest updates.

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‘Travel Watch’ and ‘Travel Advisories’ issued across 21Country

NORTHEAST IND. (WPTA) - ‘Travel Watch’ and ‘Travel Advisories’ have been issued for most of northeast Indiana counties this morning as road conditions and black ice are causing difficult travel on area roads.

A ‘Travel Watch’ has been issued for Huntington and Wabash.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security says a ‘Travel Watch’ means conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. During a “watch” local travel advisory, only essential travel, such as to and from work or in an emergency situation, is recommended. Emergency action plans should be implemented by businesses, schools, government agencies, and other organizations.

A ‘Travel Advisory’ has been issued for Allen, Adams, DeKalb, Elkhart, Jay, Kosciusko, Noble, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley counties.

A ‘Travel Advisory’ means routine travel or activities may be restricted in some areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas.

To get the latest weather forecasts and alerts sent straight to your phone, download the 21Alive Weather App here .

Copyright 2024 WPTA. All rights reserved.

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First Alert Forecast: Meteorologist Brian Barrett 4/21/24 AM Weather

Weather Forecast

First Alert Forecast: Areas of frost possible Sunday morning, staying chilly this afternoon

First Alert Forecast: Chilly, potentially frosty Sunday morning

First Alert Forecast: Several frost chances

A sunny, but cool weekend ahead with frost likely

First Alert Forecast: Cooling off for a bit

Rain, thunder, and gusty conditions return tonight

First Alert Forecast: Meteorologist Brian Barrett 4/18/24 Weather

First Alert Forecast: Staying mild Thursday with the next round of storms late this evening

Tranquil weather returns Thursday before more showers and storms move in after sunset

First Alert Forecast: Isolated storm chances, mainly east

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Officials report slick roads across Indiana after overnight snowfall

The morning commute around the state had a rough start, with state police reporting slick spots, especially on bridges and overpasses. Here's what's happening today.

What are the road conditions in Indiana?

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis reported on X (formerly Twitter) Friday morning that the roads were slick and dangerous winds were expected in the evening.

Indiana travel advisory map

As of noon Friday, LaPorte was the only Indiana county with a warning, the highest restriction on the travel advisory map managed by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Four Indiana counties — Porter, Starke, Clay and Jefferson — were in the watch category, which means only essential travel is recommended.

Check your county's status here .

Is it safe to drive today?

This morning, Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine posted that the list of crashes state troopers were responding to was "growing fast." He suggested drivers give themselves extra time if they need to be on the roads this morning.

NWS reminded drivers to remove snow from the roof of their cars before getting on the road.

Check if roads have been plowed and find safe driving tips here .

What is a ‘Travel Watch' in Indiana and What Does it Mean?

Published december 22, 2022 • updated on december 22, 2022 at 9:32 pm.

With a significant winter storm greatly upending travel across the Chicago area, Indiana officials have issued travel directives to help mitigate the effects of the storm.

As parts of Northwest Indiana are being hit hardest by the storm, officials have issued travel advisories, watches and warnings across the state Thursday evening.

Watch NBC Chicago local news and weather for free 24/7

Under a "Travel Advisory", which is currently in effect for Newton and Jasper counties, individuals are advised to use caution when traveling while being advised that some travel may be restricted due to a hazardous situation.

For counties under a "Travel Watch", currently in effect in Lake and Porter counties, conditions are recognized as threatening to public safety, with only essential travel recommended. Additionally, businesses and government organizations are asked to implement emergency action plans.

Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.

Under a "Travel Warning", which is currently issued in LaPorte County, residents are directed to refrain from all travel while complying with any necessary emergency measures. With a travel warning in effect, travel is meant to be restricted to emergency management workers.

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Weather blog: Indianapolis drops below freezing for next 10 days at least

Dangerously cold temperatures arriving this weekend.

Latest weather from Storm Track 8 | Interactive Radar | Download the WISH-TV weather app

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A winter storm on Friday was rolling through Indiana, bringing snow to northern parts and east central parts of the state, strong winds to east central Indiana, and rain and freezing precipitation to central and southern Indiana.

A flood warning was in effect for the White River at Montezuma, located west of Indianapolis along the borders of Parke and Vermillion counties, through at least noon Saturday.

A winter storm warning was in effect until 7 p.m. Saturday for South Bend and the counties of St. Joseph and Elkhart on the north Indiana border. Additional snow accumulations from 3-6 inches and gusts up to 45 mph were expected.

Winter weather advisories were in effect in parts of northern Indiana, and wind advisories covered most of the state where.

The National Weather Service at Indianapolis says the temperature dropped below freezing to 31 degrees. Indianapolis isn’t likely to see temperatures above freezing for the next 10 days, maybe longer, as a bitter cold air mass takes over.

Here is the latest travel advisory map from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. See updates online . Grant and Huntington counties were added Friday night.

Take it slow on ice and snow! ❄️Roads that are slushy or snow-covered may be slick overnight! INDOT plow crews are out across northern Indiana, but with temperatures dropping below freezing tonight, expect slick spots to develop! Bridges and overpasses will freeze first. pic.twitter.com/J70nyoSTEv — NWS Northern Indiana (@NWSIWX) January 13, 2024

The fire department for the Wayne County town of Hagerstown posted photos from crashes during Friday’s storm. Firefighter Matthias Ritter took the photos.

Here’s what we’re seeing from the high winds today – this is from the SE side near Keystone Ave. Stay away from downed power lines & always assume they’re live. Report them at 317-261-8111. Report outages online at https://t.co/0hfdW104h8 or call the number above. Stay safe! pic.twitter.com/PbfJp4ILyl — AES Indiana (@AESIndiana) January 13, 2024

The National Weather Service office for northern Indiana reported 3 inches of snow on the ground just north of the town of North Webster.

The National Weather Service office for northern Indiana says rain and snow will end Friday evening. Strong gusty winds to 50 mph, falling temperatures, and light snow will arrive from west to east after midnight Friday into daybreak Saturday. Isolated power outages are possible.

Crews have been working hard since Tuesday of this week. High winds, bitter cold and constantly changing road conditions are just a few of the challenges they face going into the weekend. Here is how you can help them! pic.twitter.com/M0O7UEjlfN — Indy Department of Public Works (@IndyDPW) January 12, 2024

The National Weather Service at Indianapolis says temperatures will plummet into the 20s overnight Friday with any lingering moisture on roads freezing into black ice. In addition, light snow may collect on roads Friday evening and overnight, especially areas north of I-70.

Get ready for some stiff arctic air to push in this weekend. SAT will see single digit wind chills much of the day. SUN won't really see feels like temps crest above zero. Frigid MON and TUE with MON night being the coldest night at -1 for Indy and subzero wind chills at times. pic.twitter.com/g6CF07jNZd — WISH-TV StormTrack8 (@StormTrack8) January 12, 2024

Here is the latest travel advisory map from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. See updates online .

The National Weather Service for northern Indiana says moderate snow will continue north of U.S. 30 through early Friday evening before diminishing as rain south changes back to snow. Additional light snow along with strong gusty winds up to 50 mph and falling temperatures will arrive late Friday night.

Storm Track 8 reports: Rain is picking back up in central Indiana. Areas northeast of Indianapolis are also still dealing with a mix of snow at times. Expect this heavier precipitation to persist through the evening commute with some snow possibly mixing in at times.

Madison County (Anderson, Elwood) and Monroe County (Bloomington, Ellettsville) as well as Indianapolis and Marion County have announced warming centers and, in some cases, overnight shelter available during the winter storm. See the list at WISHTV.com .

Here’s from YouTube , is a Friday afternoon briefing on the winter storm from the National Weather Service office for northern Indiana.

INCREDIBLE, @JimCantore you aren’t alone today. As rare as it gets, THUNDERSNOW caught on camera. This was taken in Wayne County close to the Randolph County line at around 1:45 pm in eastern Indiana. Thank you Karla Mullins Buckley for sending this in! @WISH_TV pic.twitter.com/mUch6OwjfG — Ryan Morse (@RyanMorseWx) January 12, 2024

Storm Track 8 reports high wind warnings have been expanded northward to include Columbus, Greenfield, New Castle and other locations from 4-8 p.m. Friday for gusts up to 50-60 mph. Additional tree and power line damage possible.

From the National Weather Service at Indianapolis: Rain has changed to snow across parts of eastern Indiana. Snow has quickly covered the roads and led to hazardous travel conditions. If traveling, expect rapidly changing conditions with snow-covered roads east of Indy.

If you haven't noticed it's windy today and through tomorrow. Please bring in your trash carts as soon as possible to avoid damage to the cart or the neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/H0ay7cKoSY — Indy Department of Public Works (@IndyDPW) January 12, 2024

A mix of rain and snow will change back over to all snow from west to east this afternoon and evening. Several inches of snow are possible especially north of US30. Snow with increasing winds expected tonight. pic.twitter.com/KiYqaKkR7t — NWS Northern Indiana (@NWSIWX) January 12, 2024

A high wind warning is in effect until 7 p.m. EST/6 p.m. CST Friday for the following Indiana counties: Clark, Crawford, Dubois, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson, Orange, Perry, Scott, Washington.

The warning includes the cities/towns of Corydon, Jasper, Jeffersonville., New Albany, Paoli, Salem, Scottsburg, Tell City, and Versailles.

Wind gusts will gradually increase in intensity, peaking this afternoon and early evening. Widespread gusts over 50 mph are expected, with sporadic gusts of 58 mph or more this afternoon and early evening. Gusts for much of the overnight hours will range from 40 to 50 mph.

Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

As of 1 p.m. EST, 11 Indiana counties are under local travel advisories.

A winter storm warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. EST/6 p.m. CST on Saturday for La Porte and St. Joseph Counties, the Chicago area, and portions of northern Michigan.

The warned area includes Michigan City, La Porte, Granger, South Bend, and Mishawaka.

Heavy snow and blowing snow are expected with total snow accumulations of 4 to 9 inches.

Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute.

The worst travel conditions from snow and blowing snow will be this evening through Saturday afternoon. Rain will likely mix with snow for most of today which may limit impacts and accumulations before sunset.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has updated its wind gust timeline for central Indiana.

Central Indiana could see a few stronger gusts during the day, but the highest winds will arrive this afternoon/evening with possible gusts of 40-50 mph. Power outages are possible.

Moderate snow north of US30 continues through early afternoon with deteriorating road conditions. A mix south of US30 will change to snow later this afternoon with heavy snow likely north of US30. pic.twitter.com/ibYuhhacmc — NWS Northern Indiana (@NWSIWX) January 12, 2024

Indiana is still on track for a prolonged cold snap beginning Saturday, with possible wind chills as low as -20° F.

🚨SCHEDULE CHANGE🚨 Tomorrow's @MarianUnivWBB and @MarianMensBBall games at St. Francis will now start one hour earlier due to winter weather concerns. The women will tip the doubleheader at 12 PM. https://t.co/6tliSe27dw pic.twitter.com/4nVlO0lwlt — Marian Knights (@MUKnights) January 12, 2024

During the winter weather you may ask, “Where are the plows?” @INDOT has an app and website that answers that question. https://t.co/DgyK3gm7En answers that question and gives you a view that plow drivers are seeing. #DriveSafe today and #BuckleUp pic.twitter.com/oBNk17jxxt — Sgt. Ted Bohner (@ISPBremen) January 12, 2024

A whole lot rain will fall today, along with wind gusts climbing over 40 mph tonight. There is some concern for a flash freeze tonight with temperatures falling quickly into the 20s after all this rain has fallen. Minor snow accumulation possible tonight into Saturday morning. pic.twitter.com/wa52StsCsJ — Ryan Morse (@RyanMorseWx) January 12, 2024

Ten counties in northern and northwestern Indiana have issued local travel advisories.

A travel watch means conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. Only essential travel — such as to and from work or in an emergency — is recommended.

A travel advisory is the lowest level of local travel advisory and means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation.

Don’t crowd the plow! Give INDOT’s yellow trucks and other city/county plows plenty of space when you’re out on the roads. Avoid passing, especially on two-lane roads.

The safest place to be is a safe distance away — let them plow the way for you!

About 1,980 Duke Energy customers are without power in Seymour. The estimated time of restoration is 2:45 p.m.

A wind advisory is in effect until 12 p.m. EST/11 a.m. CST for Dubois, Crawford, Jefferson, Harrison, Orange, Perry, Scott, and Washington Counties.

Wind gusts this morning will gradually increase in intensity, peaking this afternoon and early evening. Widespread gusts over 50 mph are expected, with sporadic gusts of 58 mph or more this afternoon and early evening. Gusts for much of the overnight hours will range from 40 to 50 mph.

“In Lake County, slideoffs and disabled vehicles due to the weather have police officers busy all over the county. Police officers say the roads in Lake County are now packed with snow.

That, plus blowing and drifting snow are creating hazardous driving conditions, especially on I-65, I-80/94, and Wicker Avenue. Please plan for extra time to reach your destination and allow more time for your vehicle to stop due to slick roadways.” – Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. via Facebook

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a wind advisory for much of central Indiana due to possible wind gusts over 50 mph.

The advisory went into effect at 10 a.m. and will through 4 a.m. Saturday.

Counties listed under the wind advisory: Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Carroll, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, Decatur, Delaware, Fountain, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Martin, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, Vigo, Warren.

Seven Indiana counties are under some level of travel advisory amid a winter storm.

There is a Wind Advisory active from 10AM this morning through 4AM tonight. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs may blow down and could result in isolated power outages. #INwx 2/4 pic.twitter.com/qhiLsZpCjj — NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) January 12, 2024

• Download the WISH-TV weather app
• Latest weather from Storm Track 8
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• How to prevent pipes from freezing
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Gap between Caitlin Clark's WNBA salary and her male counterparts' draws outrage

College basketball superstar Caitlin Clark is set to soar to new heights in the WNBA — but her rookie contract means she will pocket a fraction of the millions her male counterparts have made on the court.

Clark, the University of Iowa legend who has already made history as NCAA Division I basketball’s overall top scorer, sealed a contract with the Indiana Fever after she was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft Monday.

Clark will earn $338,056 over four years, according to the WNBA’s  collective bargaining agreement .

Under the 2024 WNBA rookie scale for the No. 1-4 draft picks, she'll earn a base salary of $76,535 for her first year, $78,066 the second year and $85,873 the third, with a fourth-year option of $97,582.

Despite Clark’s unprecedented star power, her salary is a sliver of the eye-popping amount male athletes make in the NBA.

WNBA draft picks No. 2-4 — Stanford’s Cameron Brink, who went to the Los Angeles Sparks, South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, with the Chicago Sky, and Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson, also with the Sparks — will make the same pay as Clark.

For comparison, San Antonio Spurs rookie star Victor Wembanyama — the No. 1 pick in last year’s NBA draft — secured a $55 million four-year contract under which he pocketed $12.1 million in his first season, according to the athlete contract tracker Spotrac .

A WNBA spokesperson said Wednesday that the $76,000 sum is just a part of what Clark will make in the league.

“Caitlin Clark stands to make a half million dollars or more in WNBA earnings this coming season, in addition to what she will receive through endorsements and other partnerships, which has been reported to already exceed $3 million," the league spokesperson said.

Beyond the rookie base scale salary, she'll also make earnings through league and team marketing agreements.

Though Clark is likely to rake in much more through endorsements and sponsorships, outrage simmered on social media over the glaring salary disparity between the WNBA and the NBA.

Hoda Kotb, host of NBC’s “TODAY” show, said Tuesday morning: “They’ve already sold out games. She had the highest ratings, her teams and the Final Four had the highest ratings — higher than the World Series, higher than the NBA. So I was like, what is she going to get paid? Because finally, you can get a real paycheck. Then I saw it and was like, this can’t be right.”

Co-host Jenna Bush Hager added: “Honestly the gap is so jarring. ... We’re talking about equal pay. That ain't even close.”

They said things are likely to change in the future as games have already sold out and viewership, which has historically lagged behind the NBA, has soared, partly on account of Clark’s celebrity.  

President Joe Biden said on social media Tuesday, "Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all."

"But right now we’re seeing that even if you’re the best, women are not paid their fair share," he said. "It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve."

Male athletes also chimed in.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson shared a post about Clark's pay on X, adding: “These ladies deserve so much more … Praying for the day.” 

One user wrote on X , “To the people saying it doesn’t matter what Caitlin Clarks salary is because she will be making millions through endorsement, it actually does matter.”  

Another wrote , “Presumably she’ll make bank on endorsements but Caitlin Clark’s WNBA salary is less than that of a union nurse, teacher, or cop.”

Journalist Lisa Ling wrote on Instagram : “Steph Curry makes more per game than what Caitlin Clark is making for 4 years! With the toll sports and travel take on women’s bodies, is this even a living wage? I know WNBA games have not brought in comparable numbers by any stretch of the imagination, but this is disgraceful. Do better for all of our women athletes!” 

There are some key differences, though, with the leagues. The WNBA plays a shorter 40-game, four-month season compared the to NBA’s six months. The NBA has also existed longer (and has more teams) and is now finishing its 78th season, while the WNBA is in its 28th. 

A big chunk of the money behind the game comes from media rights. The NBA’s national media deals see the league cash in $2.8 billion this year, while the WNBA will make around $65 million this year for its media rights. 

The fight for more equitable pay in women’s basketball has been a long one. 

“From a salary standpoint, it’d be great for the women to be able to make more money,” WNBA legend Lisa Leslie said in a conversation with fellow basketball stars LeBron James and Draymond Green on an October 2022 episode of “ The Shop: Uninterrupted .”

“It’s a lot of work — it’s a lot of hard work. I think I saw something that said one player that makes maybe $12 million on an NBA team can cover the whole WNBA’s salaries. And so that’s kind of crazy,” she added.

Breaking News Reporter

US 50 bridge closed west of Gunnison due to safety concerns

Travel advisory.

Gunnison and Montrose Counties  — A safety closure is in place for a bridge on US Highway 50 located west of Gunnison. The Colorado Department of Transportation is closing the bridge at the urging of the Federal Highway Administration and state bridge engineering experts due to the findings of an ongoing safety inspection, which identified anomalies in the bridge on Thursday, April 18. The closure is in place between US 50 Mile Point 131 (intersection with Colorado Highway 92) and MP 138. Local traffic will be allowed through the closure point to reach residences. Motorists should use COtrip to plan an alternate route. See below for more information about the northern and southern recommended alternate routes. CDOT has set up an incident command and will coordinate with local, state and federal agencies in order to respond as quickly and effectively as possible. CDOT has been conducting a special inspection for high-strength steel bridges for the Blue Mesa bridges as required by the Federal Highway Administration. This inspection was required because of known issues with similarly constructed bridges elsewhere in the country. A defect was observed during an early investigation of the bridge at approximately Mile Point 136.3. CDOT immediately brought in a second inspection crew with resources to perform another method for testing whether the defect posed a safety hazard on the bridge. The second inspection took place on Thursday, April 18.  CDOT is continuing to assess the safety of the bridge and to quickly determine options for interim and permanent fixes – and will keep the public informed as soon as more information is available. The bridge closure is located between Gunnison and Montrose. It is located east of the US 50 Little Blue Creek Canyon project, which is currently in a planned winter shutdown.

Recommended Alternate Routes

This closure will create a significant detour for commuters between Montrose and Gunnison. The recommended detour route for through traffic is via Interstate 70 to the north or US 160 to the south. CDOT understands the inconvenience that this creates and is rapidly evaluating options to improve options for residents, businesses, and travelers on the western slope. The northern route is 354 miles and requires approximately six hours of travel time. The southern route is 331 miles and requires nearly 7 hours of travel time. CDOT and local partners are exploring whether it is feasible at this point in the season to clear local seasonal routes that may be able to significantly reduce the detour time for local travelers. 

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
• Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
• See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter , Facebook , Instagram and YouTube

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
• Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!

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Dubai’s Extraordinary Flooding: Here’s What to Know

Images of a saturated desert metropolis startled the world, prompting talk of cloud seeding, climate change and designing cities for intensified weather.

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By Raymond Zhong

Scenes of flood-ravaged neighborhoods in one of the planet’s driest regions have stunned the world this week. Heavy rains in the United Arab Emirates and Oman submerged cars, clogged highways and killed at least 21 people. Flights out of Dubai’s airport, a major global hub, were severely disrupted.

The downpours weren’t a freak event — forecasters anticipated the storms several days out and issued warnings. But they were certainly unusual. Here’s what to know.

Heavy rain there is rare, but not unheard-of.

On average, the Arabian Peninsula receives a scant few inches of rain a year, although scientists have found that a sizable chunk of that precipitation falls in infrequent but severe bursts, not as periodic showers.

U.A.E. officials said the 24-hour rain total on Tuesday was the country’s largest since records there began in 1949 . But parts of the nation had experienced an earlier round of thunderstorms just last month.

Oman, with its coastline on the Arabian Sea, is also vulnerable to tropical cyclones. Past storms there have brought torrential rain, powerful winds and mudslides, causing extensive damage.

Global warming is projected to intensify downpours.

Stronger storms are a key consequence of human-caused global warming. As the atmosphere gets hotter, it can hold more moisture, which can eventually make its way down to the earth as rain or snow.

But that doesn’t mean rainfall patterns are changing in precisely the same way across every corner of the globe.

In their latest assessment of climate research , scientists convened by the United Nations found there wasn’t enough data to have firm conclusions about rainfall trends in the Arabian Peninsula and how climate change was affecting them. The researchers said, however, that if global warming were to be allowed to continue worsening in the coming decades, extreme downpours in the region would quite likely become more intense and more frequent.

The role of cloud seeding isn’t clear.

The U.A.E. has for decades worked to increase rainfall and boost water supplies by seeding clouds. Essentially, this involves shooting particles into clouds to encourage the moisture to gather into larger, heavier droplets, ones that are more likely to fall as rain or snow.

Cloud seeding and other rain-enhancement methods have been tried across the world, including in Australia, China, India, Israel, South Africa and the United States. Studies have found that these operations can, at best, affect precipitation modestly — enough to turn a downpour into a bigger downpour, but probably not a drizzle into a deluge.

Still, experts said pinning down how much seeding might have contributed to this week’s storms would require detailed study.

“In general, it is quite a challenge to assess the impact of seeding,” said Luca Delle Monache, a climate scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif. Dr. Delle Monache has been leading efforts to use artificial intelligence to improve the U.A.E.’s rain-enhancement program.

An official with the U.A.E.’s National Center of Meteorology, Omar Al Yazeedi, told news outlets this week that the agency didn’t conduct any seeding during the latest storms. His statements didn’t make clear, however, whether that was also true in the hours or days before.

Mr. Al Yazeedi didn’t respond to emailed questions from The New York Times on Thursday, and Adel Kamal, a spokesman for the center, didn’t immediately have further comment.

Cities in dry places just aren’t designed for floods.

Wherever it happens, flooding isn’t just a matter of how much rain comes down. It’s also about what happens to all that water once it’s on the ground — most critically, in the places people live.

Cities in arid regions often aren’t designed to drain very effectively. In these areas, paved surfaces block rain from seeping into the earth below, forcing it into drainage systems that can easily become overwhelmed.

One recent study of Sharjah , the capital of the third-largest emirate in the U.A.E., found that the city’s rapid growth over the past half century had made it vulnerable to flooding at far lower levels of rain than before.

Omnia Al Desoukie contributed reporting.

Raymond Zhong reports on climate and environmental issues for The Times. More about Raymond Zhong

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U.S. issues travel warning for Israel with Iran attack believed to be imminent and fear Gaza war could spread

By Debora Patta , Tucker Reals

Updated on: April 13, 2024 / 5:25 PM EDT / CBS News

Update: Iran launched drone attacks against Israel on Saturday. Read CBS News'  latest coverage here .

Tel Aviv  — Israel is bracing for a worst-case scenario that U.S. officials believe could materialize within just hours — the possibility of a direct attack on Israeli soil by Iran in retaliation for a strike almost two weeks ago that killed seven Iranian military officers. Iran has vowed to take revenge for Israel killing its commanders, who were hit by an April 1 strike on the Iranian embassy in Syria's capital.

Two U.S. officials told CBS News that a major Iranian attack against Israel was expected as soon as Friday, possibly to include more than 100 drones and dozens of missiles aimed at military targets inside the country. Sources have told CBS News the retaliation could include attacks carried out both by Iranian forces, and proxy groups around the region that it has been funneling additional arms to for weeks.  

The officials said it would be challenging for the Israelis to defend against an attack of that magnitude, and while they held out the possibility that the Iranians could opt for a smaller-scale attack to avoid a dramatic escalation, their retaliation was believed to be imminent. 

Asked Friday how imminent he believes an attack is, President Biden responded, "I don't want to get into secure information, but my expectation is sooner than later." The president urged Iran not to move forward, saying his message to Tehran was: "Don't."

Tehran has not indicated publicly how or when it will return fire, so it's unclear how far Iran's leaders will go. If they decide to carry out a direct attack on Israel, there's fear it could blow Israel's ongoing war against Iranian ally Hamas up into a much wider regional conflict.

With the Iranian retaliation expected at any time, the U.S. State Department on Thursday warned Americans in Israel not to travel outside major cities, which are better protected from incoming rocket fire by the country's Iron Dome missile defense system. The latest guidance noted that travel by U.S. government employees in Israel could be further restricted with little notice as things develop in the tinderbox region.

"Whoever harms us, we will harm them," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Thursday as he visited troops at an Israel Defense Forces airbase. "We are prepared … both defensively and offensively."

On Saturday, all U.S. embassies in the Middle East were put on high alert and required to hold emergency action committee meetings. Diplomats in Lebanon and Israel were specifically told not to travel to certain areas within those countries.

Sima Shine, a security expert and former official with Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad, told CBS News it was a dangerous moment for the region, and the "most worried" she has been. She said anxiety over an all-out war was likely just as high "on both sides, in Israel and in Iran."

If Iran does choose to strike Israel directly, it could involve a complex missile and drone attack similar to the one Iranian forces launched against a Saudi oil facility in 2019 .

"They will try to do it on the military or some military asset," Shine predicted. "But the question will be the damage. If there would be many injured people, killed or injured … I think it has the potential for a huge escalation."

Shine stressed, however, that she still believes neither side actually wants a regional conflict.

U.S. "really trying to avoid war"

The U.S. sent a senior general to Israel this week to coordinate with the close American ally on any response it might make to an Iranian attack. Speaking Friday on "CBS Mornings," America's top military officer said, "we're really trying to avoid war."

"This is part of the dialogue that I have with my counterparts within the region, to include the Israeli chief of defense, who I talked to yesterday," said Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., adding that the U.S. military was "doing things not only to prevent a war, but at the same time, one of my primary things is to make sure all the forces in the region are protected."

"My role, as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, is to plan and prepare," Brown said. "That's one thing we do very well."

Brown's Israeli counterpart, Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, "completed a comprehensive situational assessment on the readiness of the IDF for all scenarios," Israel's military said Friday. 

"The IDF is very strongly prepared, both offensively and defensively, against any threat," Halevi was quoted as saying in the statement. "The IDF continues to monitor closely what is happening in Iran and different arenas, constantly preparing to deal with existing and potential threats in coordination with the United States Armed Forces." 

The IDF said the visiting U.S. general, Central Command chief Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, was taking part in the IDF's situational assessment.

The dilemma for Iran, said Israeli expert Shine, is to figure out how to deliver its promised response to Israel's attack in Syria, but in a way that does not lead to further escalation. Likewise, Shine said Israel could choose to show restraint when it responds to whatever Iran eventually does.

If either side gets the balance wrong, the consequences for the region, and even the world, could be dire.

Weijia Jiang, David Martin, Margaret Brennan and Olivia Gazis contributed reporting.

• Middle East
• Benjamin Neta​nyahu

Debora Patta is a CBS News foreign correspondent based in Johannesburg. Since joining CBS News in 2013, she has reported on major stories across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Edward R. Murrow and Scripps Howard awards are among the many accolades Patta has received for her work.

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