ELKHART COUNTY -- Elkhart County also has a plan to tackle this storm. County agencies are joining forces to make sure all bases are covered.
Nearly two feet of blowing snow will cause a lot of problems on the roads. That’s why the county highway department spent Tuesday morning preparing what will be a long few days.
“We’re expecting a pretty heavy snow event, we’ll be around the clock trying to keep the roads clear,” said Rick Easton, a plow driver.
“We can handle any amount of snow,” said Jeff Taylor with the Elkhart County Highway Department. “When you throw in the wind component, then we fight an uphill battle.”
Several agencies are joining forces to fight that battle.
Tuesday morning the county highway department met with the sheriff’s department and the County Emergency Management Office. The purpose was to map out and coordinate efforts in dealing with the snow and possible blizzard conditions,” said Jeff Taylor with the Elkhart County Highway Department.
“It’s important to keep in contact with one another, to figure out where the resources are needed the most,” said Taylor.
County highway resources will include 35 trucks out by day and ten overnight. County police will have a full complement of officers out on the road – and that includes detectives, who normally work inside. Some will be driving four-wheel drive vehicles.
“We want to make sure that we are ready,” said Captain Jim Bradberry with Elkhart County Police. “On normal operations you don’t usually have to take that course of action, but given the circumstances, it’s always better to have a plan.”
The County Emergency Management Office will coordinate with county police and county highway crews.
All the agencies will be in constant contact until weather conditions improve.
