Local communities are digging out from Wednesday's snow. In Crown Point, Mayor David Uran told the city's board of works via Zoom Wednesday morning that crews had been out since 2:00 a.m.
"It's actually, really a dire situation out there right now. We don't encourage anybody to be out on the roadways unless you're plowing," Uran said.
Crown Point city offices are closed for walk-in business Wednesday and Thursday, but Uran stresses that they remain operational online and by phone.
"City offices, through the technology that we've advanced the city on, are able to navigate, pivot, and continue to provide services to our community during all types of weather events or situations that may arise," Uran said.
The winter storm has also impacted garbage pickup in Northwest Indiana. Several communities have reported that Republic Services has shut down its operations in the area for Wednesday and Thursday.
Mayor Uran says the city has gotten complaints from residents, but he supports the company's decision to protect its employees. "I don't think having garbage cans on the roadways when we're trying to plow is the most efficient way to provide service to the community," he added.
The mayor also urges residents to move parked cars off the roadways until the snow is cleared. "At the end of the day, it makes things more efficient for our public works employees to clear your streets in a timely fashion," Uran said.
He encourages residents to help their neighbors clear their sidewalks and stay home if they can. On the bright side, Crown Point is planning a snowman-building contest for its residents.
