INDIANAPOLIS -- AES Indiana crews are busy preparing for the potential power outages as the next round of winter weather begins to move through central Indiana beginning Wednesday night and heading into Thursday morning.
According to the FOX59 and CBS4 Weather Team, the forecast is projected to bring additional snow as the latest cold front shifts through most of central Indiana. Wind gusts will be another significant factor, with some gusts expected to reach as high as 40-45 mph. A Wind Advisory will be active for the majority of central Indiana starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday and will be effective until 4 a.m. Thursday.
AES Indiana said crews are prepared to respond to potential outages due to the combination of sustained high winds and "extreme" cold temperatures that could pose problems for customers across central Indiana.
AES Indiana provided the following tips for any customers who experience power outages:
- Turn off all appliances but leave on one lamp to know when power is restored
- Keep freezer and refrigerator doors closed
- If the indoor temperature falls below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, open your faucets slightly so they constantly drip to prevent pipes from freezing
Crews will be fully staffed in preparation as the rain and snow mix begins to arrive Wednesday night.
This upcoming cold front will be the second wintry mix to strike Indianapolis this week after law enforcement agencies responded to hundreds of crashes around Hendricks, Marion and Boone counties Monday and overnight on Tuesday. In Indianapolis alone, Indiana State Police responded to more than 135 crashes between 3 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday.
The majority of the crashes occurred during the rush-hour commute early Monday evening, leading many drivers to question INDOT and Indy DPW's road preparation.
In response, INDOT told FOX59/CBS4 that drivers spent Wednesday pre-treating roads while working on 12-hour rotating schedules to prepare for any potential snow accumulations and slick roads.