LAWRENCE CO. — The Lawrence County Commissioners have officially downgraded the county’s travel status from Red (Warning) to Orange (Watch) as of Monday afternoon.
While the change signals a slight improvement in road accessibility, officials emphasize that conditions remain dangerous. An Orange Status means that while the strict “emergency-only” travel ban has been lifted, the public should still exercise extreme caution.
According to Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) guidelines, a Watch (Orange) status indicates that conditions are still threatening to the safety of the public.
- Essential Travel Only: Only travel that is absolutely necessary—such as commuting to and from work or responding to an emergency—is recommended.
- Plan Implementation: Businesses, schools, and government agencies are encouraged to keep their emergency action plans in place.
- Caution Advised: Many secondary roads and side streets in Lawrence County remain snow-covered and slick. Blowing and drifting snow continue to be a factor as temperatures remain well below freezing.
Highway crews are still actively working to clear main thoroughfares and state highways. By moving to Orange, the Commissioners are allowing citizens to resume essential activities, but they strongly urge residents to return home before nightfall when temperatures plummet further.
Despite the downgrade in travel status, Lawrence County remains under an Extreme Cold Warning. Wind chill values are expected to drop as low as -27°F tonight, which can cause frostbite on exposed skin in less than 20 minutes.
