Update – January 6, 2025  – 10:30am

Bartholomew County’s travel status has been upgraded to a Warning Level (Red). Road conditions have deteriorated and travel is now restricted to emergency personnel/situations only. This warning is in place until 12:00pm on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Warning (Red)
The highest level of local travel advisory, means that travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only. During a “warning” local travel advisory, individuals are directed to:
• Refrain from all travel;
• Comply with necessary emergency measures;
• Cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans; and
• Obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.
Additional exceptions to the warning travel advisory are found in Indiana Code 10-14-3-29.
County travel status levels can be checked at https://www.in.gov/dhs/travel-advisory-map/
Check state highway road conditions at https://511in.org

 

City of Columbus, Indiana Services Closed for Monday, January 6, 2025

Update – January 5, 2025  – 8:45pm

City of Columbus, Indiana, city services will be closed Monday, January 6, 2025 except for public safety and emergency services. ColumBUS Transit will be run delayed service starting at 1:00pm on restricted routes. Trash and recycling collections are still scheduled to run on Monday. Donner Center will remain open only as a warming center from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

City Services Available for Emergency Services Only:

  • Columbus Animal Care: 812.376.2505
  • Columbus City Utilities: 812.372.8861

Columbus Parks and Rec Buildings Closed:

All parks facilities and programs are closed/cancelled due to the winter storm Monday, January 6. This includes all parks facilities inside NexusPark (AEI Fitness Center, Administrative Offices, and the Circle K Fieldhouse), The Commons (including the playground), Greenbelt and Par 3 Golf Courses, Columbus Gymnastics Center, and Hamilton Ice Arena.

NexusPark will be closed for all services (Columbus Regional Hospital, retail, and restaurants) until 12:00pm. After 12:00pm, it will be at the discretion of the businesses. AEI Fitness Center, Parks Administrative Offices, and the Circle K Fieldhouse will be closed all Monday.

The decision to reopen city services for regular hours on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, will be made on Monday, January 6 by leadership. For the most current information on closings and more here or follow us on Facebook @columbus.indiana.

 

Original Post – January 3, 2025

Donner Center Opens as Warming Center Amid Harsh Incoming Weather

Columbus, Indiana – In preparation for the expected winter weather, Mayor Mary Ferdon, along with leaders from the Columbus Fire Department, Columbus Police Department, Department of Public Works, Transit, Parks and Recreation, and Animal Care Services, convened to strategize city services during the storm anticipated to begin late Sunday morning.

The City of Columbus will be opening Donner Center as a warming center for the community on Sunday, January 5 through Saturday, January 11. The center will operate from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on both days, providing a safe and warm refuge for those in need. Animals are welcome at Donner Center, however, they must be kept in crates and will be housed in a designated area of the facility. Columbus Animal Care Services will provide the crates.

After 5:00 pm, Brighter Days will continue to offer shelter services for those in need.

Other locations for warming center in Bartholomew County:

Bartholomew County Public Library

  • Main Library (536 5th St.):
    • Tuesday-Thursday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM * Updated 01.05.2025 – 8pm
    • Friday-Saturday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
  • Hope Branch (635 Harrison St.):
    • Tuesday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM * Updated 01.05.2025 – 8pm
    • Wednesday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
    • Thursday-Friday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
    • Saturday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

The National Weather Service has currently issued a Winter Storm Watch for Sunday to Monday with the expectation of a widespread significant snow across central Indiana combined with sleet/freezing rain across southern Indiana. Exact details remain uncertain at this time. Snow could start as early as Sunday morning with the bulk of the snow coming from midday Sunday through early Monday morning. It is expected to updated as a Winter Storm Warning in the near future. A shift in the track of the storm by just 20 miles can significantly affect the type of precipitation and the amounts in areas. Residents are advised to exercise caution as conditions can deteriorate rapidly.

“We encourage everyone to take these steps seriously and prepare in advance,” said Mike Richardson, Director of Safety and Security. “Your safety is our priority during this severe weather event.”

For current information on closings and more, visit this page or follow us on Facebook @columbus.indiana.

 

Winter Weather Tips

Stay Safe at Home:

  • Stay informed by monitoring local weather forecasts and alerts.
  • Stock up on essentials such as food, water, medications, and batteries.
  • Prevent frozen pipes by letting faucets drip and keeping cabinet doors open.
  • Never use outdoor heaters or generators inside the home to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Use heating systems safely and ensure proper ventilation to avoid fire hazards.
  • Charge phones and power banks ahead of the storm.
  • Be aware of local warming shelters and have a communication plan in place with family and friends.

If you must go out:

Travel Tips:

  • Avoid unnecessary travel. If driving is required, reduce speed, maintain a safe distance, and be cautious of black ice.
  • Equip your car with an emergency kit, including blankets, water, and a flashlight.
  • Ensure tires are properly inflated and your vehicle’s battery is fully charged.

Outdoor Precautions:

  • Dress in layers, including hats, gloves, and waterproof boots, to prevent frostbite.
  • Walk cautiously on icy sidewalks and driveways. Use salt or sand for better traction.
  • Limit time outdoors to avoid exposure to extreme cold.

 

Animal Care

Columbus Animal Care Services (CACS) is urging pet owners to protect their pets from the inclement weather and reminding them of the changes in our ordinances concerning weather.

Domesticated pets, especially short-haired breeds, do not have the same protection as wild animals do against severe cold. They require additional care and proper shelter whenever they are outside.

Outdoor Pets:
1) Provide adequate shelter and drinkable water for all outdoor pets, including extra food.

2) Check water bowls for freezing.  In extremely cold temperatures, they can freeze very quickly.  If an animal can’t find clean drinking water, they are more likely to drink out of puddles of antifreeze or other toxic chemicals.

3) Dog houses should keep a dog dry and help to maintain body heat. The house should only be large enough for him to turn around inside and not much bigger.    The house should be half-filled with straw for bedding and insulation.  Face the opening of the dog house to the south and nail heavy plastic or cloth strips over the door to keep the wind outside and body heat inside.  Straw is MUCH better than blankets as the straw allows the animal to burrow down for extra warmth, while blankets can get wet and freeze.  CACS occasionally does have a limited number of dog houses available for those in need.  Please call the shelter to inquire about availability.

4) CACS requires that outside dogs are brought into a temperature controlled building when temperatures are below 20 degrees.

General Care:

1) When letting your inside dog out, remember to make the outings brief.

2) If you or your neighbors have community cats who stay outside, be sure to check under the hood or knock on the hood before starting the engine in order to make sure the cat is not napping near your warm car engine.  This gives the cat a chance to escape before turning on the car.

4)  CACS does have a small supply of straw available for community cat houses to increase insulation.  If in need please call 812-376-2505 to arrange a time to pick some up.

5) When walking your dog, be sure to wipe their paws after the walk.  Salt from sidewalks can make paw pads sensitive and upset their digestive tract when they lick their paws.

If you have questions, Columbus Animal Care Services staff will be happy to assist. Contact us at 812-376-2505 or animalcareservices@columbus.in.gov .

 

Columbus City Utilities Information

With forecasted temperatures getting into the single digits mid-week, Columbus City Utilities wants to recommend that its customers take precautions to prevent their home water lines becoming frozen.

Leaving a small amount of water (no more than a pencil lead thickness) running in the faucet farthest from the water source, or next to an outside wall can prevent pipes from freezing.

Prevent Frozen Pipes

During the winter months customers need to be particularly mindful in preventing their pipes from freezing. There are some things you should not do and other things you should.

If there is snow covering your meter pit, leave it there. Snow cover acts as an insulating barrier and can help prevent the meter inside from freezing.

Don’t open your pit or tamper with the valve inside. It’s against local code for anyone but Utility personnel to work in the meter pits and vaults. Without the proper tools the valves can be fragile and this damage can be charged back to the customer.

When freezing is a possibility, there are some things you can do to help prevent disasters.

  • Open vanity and cabinet doors to expose pipes to the inside, warmer temperatures.
  • Let a small (pencil-lead thin) stream of water run. Moving water is much less likely to freeze than water standing in a pipe. Make sure all crawl space openings are closed and if possible, insulate the opening.
  • Use wrap insulation on pipes in unheated areas.

If your pipes do freeze, FIRST call Columbus Utilities at 812-372-8861. If the problem is in our meter pit, we will thaw it out and get you back in service. If the problem is beyond the meter in your plumbing, we will be able to identify it and you will then need to contact a plumber.

Emergency Water Line: 812-341-7577

Emergency Sewer Line: 812-657-2853

City Hall

Location

123 Washington Street
Columbus, Indiana 47201
(812) 376-2500
TDD: Call 711
Fax: (812) 376-2564
Contact Us

Hours
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.