Emergency center to open as snow falls

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - An emergency operation center has been set up in Indianapolis and will continue to operate as the snow begins to fall Wednesday.

City and County officials held a press conference Tuesday to discuss their plans for the approaching blizzard. They're asking the public to stay off the roads once the snow begins to fall, if possible.

"Everyone is here tonight on Christmas night because we believe this storm has the potential to be a very significant snow fall, and a very dangerous snowfall with high winds," said Public Safety Director Troy Riggs. "Hopefully people can see just by the way we're responding that they need to take this storm very seriously."

Other county emergency management agencies are preparing in a similar fashion for the storm. In Shelby County, some staff at the major hospital there plan to spend the night so they're ready for Wednesday morning.

Indiana State Police and city officials asked people to stock up on necessities before the snow falls as well. They say if you have to head out on the roads, make sure your cell phone is charged, your gas tank is full, and tell someone where you're headed.

"It's been almost two years since some people have faced serious winter driving. People tend to take it for granted, they drive too fast, they don't keep enough distance between them and the car in front of them. A lot of things can go wrong in this type of weather," Indiana State Police Captain David Bursten said.

State Police in the Indianapolis Region are planning to triple or quadruple their staffing during the storm. State Police say if you get in a fender bender on the road, get to a safe spot and exchange information, because they may only be responding to injury accidents during the storm.

If you're wondering how roads are in your area, county emergency agencies update conditions here.

For more winter preparedness tips from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, click here.