February 20, 2014
02/21/14 The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is warning drivers to be on the lookout for high water. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, combined with several feet of snow melting quickly has already closed the eastbound lanes of U.S. 20 Bypass at South Bend, just west of Michigan Street. The potential for more closures increases as snow continues to melt.
INDOT crews are patrolling state roads, posting high water signs or closing roads as needed. At this time high water closures on state roadways across the Northern Indiana Districts are not widespread, but motorists need to practice extreme caution due to the potential for flooding.
If you come across a flooded roadway, turn around. Never drive through standing water. According to the National Weather Service most flooding deaths occur in automobiles. Six inches of standing water is enough to stall a car and a foot of water will float many vehicles.
In addition, be on high alert for potholes on the roads which may be obscured from view due to high water. INDOT crews continue to work extra hours patching the abundance of potholes across the districts, caused by our brutal winter weather, but it will take time to fill all current and newly opening potholes. Through February 1st, INDOT crews had used 7,200+ tons of pothole patching mix statewide during fiscal year 2014. That’s 1,000 tons more than INDOT’s 5 year average for an entire fiscal year, and there is still plenty of winter to come.
Drivers in Northwest Indiana can monitor road closures, road conditions, and traffic alerts at any time via the District’s social media channels: www.Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest or Twitter @INDOTNorthwest. Or visit http://www.trafficwise.in.gov for INDOT’s TrafficWise Traveler Information Service.