Deep freeze brings concerns about heat, roads, burst pipes

(WNDU) - Dangerously cold temperatures are lingering here in Michiana, and that means there are still several weather-related concerns out there.

We probably sound like a broken record at this point, but safety is still the number one concern, as we have been in deep freeze now for over 48 hours.

And this freeze is nothing to take lightly. In these kinds of temperatures, frostbite can set in in just 15 minutes. Keep in mind that frostbite can also impact bones, muscles, and blood vessels — and blood vessel damage can often be permanent.

If you must go outside, keep it brief! Try to cover your nose, face, and ears while outside.

However, if you find yourself without power or with a furnace that just decided to act up at the worst possible time, there are multiple warming centers around Michiana.

In South Bend, you can visit the Charles Black Community Center, Howard Park Event Center, and the YMCA O’Brien Center to stay out of the cold. The Charles Black Community Center is closed today for Martin Luther King Jr. Day but will reopen Tuesday.

Community centers like local libraries can also be used as warming centers when it’s freezing outside. For a full list of warming centers in our area, click here.

As these cold temperatures linger, so are slick spots on the roads. Many areas in Michiana have varying levels of difficulty getting around safely, but all are dealing with icy spots. This means longer than normal travel times due to decreasing speeds.

INDOT told WNDU 16 News Now on Monday evening that more than a dozen of its plow trucks were still out on the roads. This is in addition to contracted plowers who are on the clock because this is not a one day clean up job.

Jennifer Tobey, executive director of Elkhart County Emergency Management, said she was happy to report minimal accidents related to the weather, but she said with the unusually warm winter we’ve had that folks have to remember the basics and slow down after this first big snowfall.

“With the temperatures the way they are, that means that there’s ice on the roads,” she said. “We’ll have to slow down and a have a little more extra preparedness. When we go out in our car, make sure we have warm clothing and a charged cellphone. And just have kind of a family plan.”

If you live in St. Joseph County and you’re snowed in, you can request service by calling 574-235-7800.

Meanwhile, you can keep an eye on travel advisories across the Hoosier State at the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s website.

In addition to road conditions, the potential for burst pipes is another major concern during this deep freeze.

There’s a video circulating online of water pouring out of the ceiling at Olive Garden in Mishawaka. For a major corporation like Olive Garden, it’s a bit easier to get it back up and running. But this kind of damage could be devastating for many homes in our area.

Here are some ways that can help you avoid damage to your home from burst or freezing pipes:

• Leave at least one sink on a slow drip to keep water moving in the pipes.
• To stop freezing on an outdoor spigot, shut off the water valve to the outdoor and drain excess water.
• To prevent indoor issues, cover exposed pipes with foam insulation.
• Open cabinet doors to let the heat from the house flow underneath the sink to warm the pipes.

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