Storm causes slick roads, delays

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A winter storm brought sleet and freezing rain across central Indiana causing icy roads and accidents in the metro area.

Numerous accidents were reported around Indianapolis including on Interstate 69 southbound at the 1 and 2 mile markers, State Road 37 and Southport Road, Interstate 70 and Mount Comfort Road and Interstate 65 northbound at Raymond.

Police said many accidents were caused by drivers traveling too fast for the weather conditions.

Indianapolis is under a winter weather advisory until 10 a.m. Friday.

• PHOTOS | Viewer submitted photos of Feb. 21 winter storm

A WINTRY MIX

Most areas south of Indianapolis were reporting sleet or a mix with snow Thursday evening starting at 7:30 p.m. A weather watcher on the southeast side of Bloomington said about 1 inch of sleet had fallen.

Sleet on the the west side of Indianapolis had transitioned to snow at 8:30 p.m.

The icy precipitation continued in central Indiana until 1 a.m. Friday when the storm eventually pushed out of the area. 

Indiana State Police in Bloomington reported one half to three quarters of an inch of snow had fallen on the ground in the Bloomington area.

Indiana State Police in Versailles say Interstate 65 was snow covered and very slick.

• ONLINE EXTRA | Drivers brave the elements

In Madison County, freezing rain was reported shortly after 8 p.m. Roads were becoming slick and hazardous, according to the Madison County EMA.

The Department of Public Works started filling trucks with road salt Thursday morning and were on the road throughout the day preparing for the storm.

Indy Snow Force announced Thursday night that 90 drivers would report to work at 11 p.m. to continue treating roads throughout the night.

• ONLINE EXTRA | Road crews prepared for snow
• PHOTOS | Snow blankets parts of U.S.

Wayne County Emergency Management Agency issued a travel advisory to go in to effect at 9 p.m. Thursday and will go through Noon Friday.

The EMA asks travelers on Wayne County roadways and city streets to use extreme caution due to ice and snow accumulation.

CANCELATIONS AND DELAYS

Predictions of freezing precipitation caused some high school basketball games to start later than anticipated Thursday night. Decatur Central High School's basketball game was even postponed Thursday night until Friday evening.

More than 175 closings and delays were reported Thursday night.

For the latest information on closings and delays in Central Indiana check WISHTV.com.

WEATHER RELATED ACCIDENTS

INDOT reported all lanes of State Road 44 at Curlee Road in Morgan County were closed shortly before 8 p.m. due to a jackknifed semi. Lanes were reopened around 8:40 p.m.

A number of slide-offs and crashes were reported by Indiana State Police in Versailles.

Troopers in Henry County responded to several crashes and encouraged drivers to use caution in the area or avoid roads completely.

Indiana State Police in Pendleton say troopers arrived to the scene of an accident where a car ran off the north side of Interstate 70 and across County Road 650 South, hitting a pole.

You can access the latest information on travel advisories in Indiana by clicking here.

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday, close to 60 flights were reported canceled. Check WISHTV.com's flight information page for up-to-date information on flight delays and cancelations.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Friday, temperatures should quickly rise above freezing, with a high of 40 degrees. Forecast 8 Meteorologist Randy Ollis expects ice accumulation of up to one-quarter inch by Friday morning’s commute.

Before hitting the road in the morning, drivers are advised to prepare their vehicles for icy conditions. 24-Hour News 8 learned frozen locks and windshields can lead to hundreds of dollars in damages if removal is not done properly. Click the link below for more.

• WEATHER EXTRA | Dealing with icy conditions

Check with the Forecast 8 Weather Blog as the forecast could change. Daybreak will begin at 4:30 a.m. Friday for full coverage of the weather event.