UPDATES: Bloomington, Ellettsville road conditions, weather, closings

3 p.m.: Bloomington police, Hotels for Homeless work to get people off streets, need emergency donations

Katie Norris was celebrating Christmas early with her family Thursday afternoon when her phone began ringing off the hook. When Norris picked up, she was surprised to hear a Bloomington police captain greet her on the other line.

There were dozens of unhoused people still on Bloomington's streets, many of whom could potentially freeze to death as last night's winter storm blew in. With subzero temperatures, roaring winds and steady snowfall, people's lives were at stake. The BPD captain asked if Norris, through her nonprofit Hotels for Homeless, was willing to help.

More about Hotels for Homeless:There's room at the inn, but no money to pay, for unhoused families as Christmas nears

"Yes, absolutely," Norris recalled replying. She knows her work with the community never really takes a break — especially near holidays.

For their upcoming Christmas initiative, they had booked rooms at hotels such as Best Value Inn for up to 50 unhoused people to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. With storm facilitating an emergency, Hotels for Homeless has used this funding to provide up to three days of shelter for unhoused people to ride out the freezing conditions safely in hotel rooms.

While Norris made temporary housing arrangements, Bloomington police officers drove around the city looking for people outdoors late into Thursday night.

"We started putting people in hotels about 3 p.m. (Thursday) and I was still getting calls from the BPD at 4 a.m., (who were) finding more people on the streets and driving them to a hotel," Norris said.

Norris was the touch point, working with caseworkers from local agencies such as Centerstone to identify people and call BPD with approximate locations. For hours, they continued finding people sleeping in tents, abandoned lots and parking garages.

"(Police) found people who were hysterical inside of gas stations because their hands and feet were so cold, they didn't know what to do. They thought they were gonna die," Norris explained.

She dozed off close to daybreak in order to get a few hours of sleep. Then, she was back to work. She wasn't the only one.

"These BPD officers are just absolute heroes. They are Christmas angels. I don't think I'll ever be able to thank them enough. They saved around a dozen lives, personally picking up and transporting them," Norris said.

Norris also thanked the Stride Center, Centerstone and Beacon for providing essential help in finding people who needed shelter.

Hotels for Homeless has worked to emergency house around 20 people and five dogs so far. Even now, into Friday afternoon, the calls haven't stopped coming. Norris noted people have been "steadily flowing in" to their secured hotel spaces.

While this resource, cobbled together by community members on the fly, has been invaluable, Norris noted Hotels for Homeless now faces a sharp obstacle. By booking these emergency hotel rooms, the organization has now used up its donation fund for the Christmas program. This program temporarily houses up to 50 people on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at hotels, in addition to providing food and stocking items.

Hotels for Homeless hopes emergency donations will cover the expenses accrued by the emergency service and their pre-planned Christmas initiative. As Norris noted, every dollar counts.

The nonprofit is also in need of physical donations such as breakfast items, hats and hand warmers. Those can be dropped off at Best Value Inn, 200 E. Ind. 45/46 Bypass. If these items need to be picked up, donors can reach out to Hotels for Homeless directly for those arrangements.

If anyone needs emergency housing right now, there are still spots available through Hotels for Homeless. People can call Stride at (812) 650-4878 or the Bloomington Police Department in order to get help. They can also reach out to Hotels for Homeless directly by messaging their Facebook page or email at h4hbloomington@gmail.com.

12 p.m.: ISP Bloomington responds to 30 roadway accidents, tells drivers what to do if they see car in ditch

It's all hands on deck over at the Indiana State Police's Bloomington district, which oversees Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Monroe counties. In preparation for this winter storm, the district canceled any of its troopers' scheduled time off this week in order to increase its presence on the roadways over the next few days. Since Thursday afternoon, troopers have been active along roadways, helping with about 30 incidents so far.

On their facebook page, ISP personnel remind drivers that they do not have to report seeing a vehicle in a ditch if it has caution tape or orange tow stickers on it. That vehicle has been checked by a trooper or INDOT and does not have anyone inside. It will be removed when weather conditions improve.

ISP's Regional Dispatch center is experiencing too many calls from residents in Bloomington, Evansville and Jasper who do not require assistance. These lines need to remain open in order to call tow trucks and other support services. See current road conditions for the entire state at https://511in.org/.

10:30 a.m.: Snowfall accumulation has stopped, travel still discouraged, more snow could come on Monday

While Bloomington will continue to see snow showers throughout the day, fresh snowfall accumulation seems to be over for now. However, that doesn't mean the area is out of the woods for dangerous weather.

"Bloomington is definitely still within the hazardous weather conditions today, mainly because of how cold it is and the wind speed," said Matthew Eckhoff, meteorologist with the Indianapolis NWS.

At 10:30 a.m., the area's temperature was -6 degrees, where it will continue to hover throughout the day. Wind is gusting up to 40 to 50 miles per hour with the wind chill making outside feel somewhere between -30 to -40 degrees. Eckhoff noted this wind could blow snow back onto roads, leading to slick and hazardous driving conditions.

"In addition to that, at such low temperatures, rock salt road treatment doesn't work quite as effectively, so icy spots could persist even if you see snow plows and salt trucks driving around," Eckhoff said.

Monroe County's travel status is currently orange, or watch, meaning travel conditions are threatening to safety. Monroe's Emergency Management deputy director Justin Baker anticipates the county will remain in the watch advisory level throughout the weekend, mainly to assist county and city personnel who are clearing the roads.

Eckhoff noted wind and temperatures will gradually improve throughout the weekend, with Christmas Day seeing a high of 16 degrees. On Sunday, the wind is also expected to calm down, gusting at around 20 miles per hour. The Indianapolis weather service is also looking ahead to Monday, which sees a potential for more snow.

"We're not looking at any potential accumulations just yet but there is a chance of snow Monday," Eckhoff said.

INDOT reports snow-covered roads, urges extreme caution

Winter storm warning in effect for Monroe County

A winter storm warning remains in effect for most of Indiana, including Monroe County through 7 p.m. Friday. Gusty winds, blowing snow and extreme temperatures will persist throughout the day. The National Weather Service states wind chills will be so severe, frostbite can happen in as little as 10 minutes.

While fresh snowfall seems to have moved out of the local area now, wind gusts will remain strong throughout Friday. This high level of wind is likely to cause blowing and drifting snow, making visibility limited. Monroe County's Emergency Management warns drivers to proceed with caution if they must travel.

The temperature in Bloomington at 11 a.m. was -5 degrees. Friday's high is predicted to be 1 degree. For anyone without proper heat and shelter, four temporary warming centers are now open—between 8 a.m.-6 p.m. today through Monday—around the county. For further resources or overnight shelters, people can reach out to Indiana 211 or their township trustee.

Monroe County road conditions

Monroe County's travel status is currently orange, or watch, meaning travel conditions are threatening to safety. Only essential travel is recommended.

INDOT's I-69 weather station is reporting black ice on the roadway. Plow cameras show snow-covered roads coming in and out of Bloomington.

See current road conditions for the entire state at https://511in.org/.

Businesses closed Friday

Ellettsville's Pizza Pantry is closed today.

Two Sticks Bakery reported it was without power this morning and unable to open on time.

Farmers & Mechanics Federal Savings Bank's Bloomington office is closed today due to inclement weather.

Ivy Tech Community College is operating virtually across all campuses.

Indiana University Bloomington is opened under limited operations with essential personnel reporting on campus.

Soma Coffee House and Juice Bar has closed its three locations early. The shops will remain closed through Monday.

Wonder Lab Museum will open late today, from 1-5pm.

Monroe County Public Library's branches are closed today.

Power outages in Bloomington, Monroe County: minimal impact

Meteorologists have previously warned that this weekend's severe weather could result in power outages across the state. As of 9:30 a.m., 16 residences were reportedly without power in Monroe County across utility companies Duke Energy, South Central Indiana REMC and Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC. At 11 a.m., no power outages were reported by utility companies in the county. If you are experiencing a power outage, you are encouraged to contact your utility company immediately.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Weather, road conditions, for Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana