New Blizzard Tightens Noose Here
Seek Emergency Aid for Snow-Blitzed County From
Indiana National Guard
By Jo Rector, City Editor
Local officials will ask Gov. Otis R. Bowen today to open the
National Guard Armory north of Warsaw as a shelter and allow National
Guard equipment and men to be used in emergency and rescue missions
in Kosciusko County.
County Civil Defense Director William Chapel said at 10 a.m. today
that he and city and county officials could seek emergency assistance
from the Indiana National Guard to help victims of the worst blizzard
in the history of the county.
"We have contacted the National Weather Service and learned
that winds are expected to increase in velocity to 50 miles per
hour and that temperatures will continue to slide down far below
zero," Chapel said. "At this time we have agreed to
seek assistance from the National Guard through Gov. Bowen and
are considering other emergency procedures to prevent tragedies
and try to keep the number of victims of this blizzard at a minimum.
Chapel said weather and road conditions were becoming so fierce
by 10 a.m. that even four-wheel drive vehicles were getting stuck
and becoming stranded. "We hope the governor will release
the National Guardsmen and their equipment so that their heavy
trucks may be used for emergency and rescue operations,"
he said.
Gentle Flakes
Blizzard conditions struck here in the early morning hours and
were preceded by heavy snows that began as a gentle, large-flake
snowfall about 9 p.m. Thursday.
At 3 a.m., when heavier snowfall was dumped on the county, temperatures
rose to 18 degrees above zero. By 4:30 a.m., the thermometer had
dipped to 10 degrees below zero, and predictions are that temperatures
will fall to as much as 25 degrees below zero tonight.
A county civil emergency declared Wednesday afternoon by the Kosciusko
County Commissioners because of high winds and drifting conditions
on all county and state roads, remains in effect today.
Commissioner Fredrick Gilliam, president of the commissioners,
this morning warned motorists to not attempt driving on county
highways because all had been closed by heavy snowdrifts.
Command Post
Civil Defense Director Chapel established a command post at the
City Building, Market and High streets, to coordinate search and
rescue missions by police, firemen, highway crews and dozens of
volunteers.
Radio stations WRSW AM-FM went on the air with emergency broadcasts
at 5:38 a.m. today, and continues to issue complete information
about school, work and meeting closings plus other emergency information.
Normal sign-on time for the stations is 6 a.m.
Chapel sent out an urgent request over WRSW for snowmobile units
and four-wheel drive vehicles with plows to help police rescue
stranded motorists and bring emergency personnel into the hospitals
in Warsaw.
By press time Chapel had listed the names, telephone numbers and
locations of more than 30 volunteers, most of whom offered the
use of their equipment for whatever rescue work needed to be done.
Additional lists of volunteers were being logged by county police.
Volunteers Help
In North Webster, Civil Defense Director Dick Mitchell announced
that emergency vehicles and snowmobiles are standing by and that
cots and food are available for storm victims at the North Webster
Fire Department.
Chapel said Mrs. Maxine Wiley, chairing REACT activities on Channel
9 on citizens band radio, had helped coordinate, with assistance
from scores of CB radio enthusiasts, transportation for nurses
and doctors to Murphy Medical Center, Kosciusko Community Hospital
and area nursing homes.
Pierceton Fire Department crews, equipped with four-wheel drive
vehicles, transported the Raymond Slone family from Stump Trailer
Park near Pierceton to the home of a relative in Warsaw because
the family was running low on fuel and had a sick baby in the
home, Chapel said.
County Highway Department drivers were matched with their snowplows
and dispersed throughout the county to stand by for emergency
service only. Highway officials and Gilliam said attempting to
plow roads, except in dire emergencies, would be fruitless unless
the snow-whipping winds, which hovered between 25 and 30 miles
per hour with stronger gusts, would settle down.
Chapel said that while he and county and city officials strongly
urged that all persons stay home and off the roads an announcement
over WRSW this morning that many motorists on the highways would
be arrested was untrue.
The announcement apparently originated from the City Building
but with the authorization of Mayor H. Dale Tucker. Kosciusko
County Police reported to WRSW that the message was received by
them over their emergency radio frequencies.
Mayor Tucker did urge motorists via the radio station to stay
off the cities streets so that city plows could clear thoroughfares
for the use of ambulance and Warsaw Fire Department equipment.
Business in Warsaw and the county was at a virtual standstill.
Most retail stores and other services closed their doors.
Officials of the United Telephone Co. urged customers to use their
telephones only in extreme emergency conditions since the phone
company's lines are overloaded. The telephone switchboard at The
Times-Union was deluged with calls as was the phone at the radio
station transmitter site.
Telephone calls also strained the boards in the County Police
communications center and at police headquarters in the City Building.
In addition to the closing of all public schools in the area,
Grace College and Theological Seminary in Winona Lake was forced
to cancel classes.
Although most retail stores in Warsaw are closed, the Ace Hardware
store on East Center St. has stayed open with a skeleton staff
to service emergency needs.
Emergency announcements about the progress of the storm and procedures
for all Kosciusko County residents to follow will be given over
Radio Stations WRSW AM-FM. All residents are urged to tune to
the radio stations for the announcements.
 East Market Street outside the Civil Defense command post in the City Building is deserted today, at the urging of Mayor H. Dale Tucker who is asking all city motorists to stay off the streets so that snow removal operations may commence. |