With word that 1,800 Lawrence residents may be without power this evening, Lawrence city officials have arranged to transport families in need to an overnight shelter, where they will be warm and safe.People in need of shelter are asked to call 317-501-9708 or 317-258-6294 to arrange to be picked up and taken to the shelter, Mayor Dean Jessup said.
“We recognize that neighbors without power can’t watch the news on television or access the Internet to learn about the shelter or get these numbers, so we’re asking Lawrence residents and others who know of people who have lost electricity to reach out to their friends and neighbors with this information,” Mayor Jessup said.
The mayor also announced that Lawrence city government will be closed tomorrow, Monday.
“Only our public safety, public works and utilities workers will be expected to report for work Monday,” the mayor said. “Their work is essential to help Lawrence residents weather Sunday’s blizzard and the sub-zero temperatures that are expected Monday.
“Other city workers – like all Lawrence residents – should stay home, stay safe and stay warm.”
Public safety workers – police, fire fighters and ambulance teams – will continue to respond to emergencies. Public works and utilities workers are staffing the city’s fleet of nine dump trucks, 10 pickup trucks with plows, two backhoes and a loader. Utilities workers also are coping with problems such as the burst water main that created a sinkhole in the 7500 block of East 46th Street.
Mayor Jessup declared a snow emergency at 3 p.m. Sunday, closing all city streets to the public. Only emergency responders may be on the streets. Motorists should not drive or park on city streets so that emergency responders and snow plows can get through.
The mayor asked residents to look to their neighbors first if they have a minor need, but to call 9-1-1 in case of emergency. The city is working with several local churches and will open a municipal facility if emergency shelter is needed, he said.
Central Indiana is expecting a foot or more of snow through Sunday and into Monday, followed by a plunge to sub=zero temperatures.
