Indiana

INDOT, Indiana State Police encourage drivers to plan ahead for upcoming total solar eclipse

Published

2 years ago

February 17, 2024

Press Room

INDOT, Indiana State Police encourage drivers to plan ahead for upcoming total solar eclipse

by 95.3 MNCFebruary 17, 2024February 16, 20240

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(Photo supplied/Indiana State Police)

Indiana will play a pivotal role in hosting eclipse enthusiasts as they flock to the Hoosier State to catch a glimpse of the first total solar eclipse in seven years on Monday, April 8. The eclipse will be visible over a large portion of the state, with the path of totality spanning from Evansville to the outskirts of Fort Wayne, entering southwest Indiana at 3:01 p.m. EDT/2:01 p.m. CDT and exiting to the northeast at 3:12 p.m. EDT/2:12 p.m. CDT. Other parts of the state will experience a partial eclipse of at least 90 percent totality from approximately 1:30 p.m. EDT/12:30 p.m. CDT to 4:30 EDT/3:30 CDT.

Nearly 4 million Hoosiers live within the path of totality, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to visit Indiana for the event. Increased traffic and congestion are also expected as residents and tourists alike make their way to viewing destinations. Areas near the eclipse centerline are anticipated to see the greatest influx of visitors, including Vincennes, Bloomington, Franklin and just north of Richmond. Indianapolis and Evansville are also included in the path.

To ensure a smooth trip, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Indiana State Police (ISP) urges drivers to plan ahead and prepare for potential travel impacts before, during and after the eclipse.

Before the eclipse

Research your viewing site, considering accessibility, parking and crowd size. Check INDOT TrafficWise on the mobile app or at org to plan your route and monitor traffic conditions. Plan to arrive to your destination early.
Anticipate increased traffic and congestion, especially in areas in or near the path of totality.
Reach your destination safely — buckle up and put your phone down while driving.
Pack plenty of snacks and water, as well as charging cables for electronics and mobile devices, in the event you or your group become stranded.
Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas and top off fluids before you head out in case you’re stuck in traffic for a long period of time. Use this eclipse-ready checklist for more road trip essentials.
Don’t forget your solar eclipse viewing glasses! You will need specially designed glasses to avoid damage to your eyes.

During the eclipse

Avoid travel during the eclipse or in the main path if possible.
Exit the roadway to stop and view the solar eclipse. Do not stop along highways or park on the shoulder for viewing.
Do not take photos or videos while driving. Indiana is a hands-free state. Holding mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets while driving is prohibited by state law.
Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving.
Turn on your headlights. Do not rely on automatic lights.
Watch for pedestrians, especially along secondary roads.

After the eclipse

Plan your post-event transportation method well in advance. If celebrating, ensure everyone has a safe and sober way to return home. Designate a sober driver or arrange for alternate transportation.
Exercise patience when leaving your viewing location as traffic may be heavy. Follow instructions from law enforcement or emergency personnel and be considerate of fellow drivers. Stay put and stick around to avoid the post-event rush.
Clean up after yourself and dispose of trash in designated receptacles or take it with you.
Once again, check INDOT TrafficWise on the mobile app or at 511in.org to plan your route and monitor traffic conditions.

INDOT will limit road closures and restrictions where possible on state routes to help with traffic flow surrounding the eclipse. Oversize and overweight permits will also be temporarily suspended during this time. View current construction and maintenance activities on INDOT TrafficWise or the free mobile app.

Visit the sites below and follow INDOT and ISP on social media for more information regarding the total solar eclipse in Indiana.

Stay Informed Get updates on INDOT projects and programs via:

Mobile App: iTunes App Store and the Google Play store for Android

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Indiana

Lake County, Indiana sheriff’s officer charged with operating vehicle while intoxicated: Officials

Published

4 hours ago

January 30, 2026

Press Room

Lake County, Indiana sheriff’s officer charged with operating vehicle while intoxicated: Officials

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team

Saturday, January 31, 2026 2:46AM

NW IN sheriff officer charged with operating vehicle while intoxicated

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. (WLS) — A sheriff’s officer in Lake County, Indiana is facing charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Indiana State Police arrested 33-year-old Thaddeus Bilski overnight, officials said Friday.

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Officials have shared few details, but they said he was off duty at the time.

Bilski has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the investigation, Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said.

No further information was immediately available.

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Indiana

More lake effect snow set to clobber Chicago, NW Indiana Friday and Saturday

Published

16 hours ago

January 30, 2026

Press Room

More lake effect snow set to clobber Chicago, NW Indiana Friday and Saturday

Another round of snow has started to fall in Chicago Friday morning, with whiteout conditions possible after 9 a.m. and more lake effect snow behind that. Chicago sees the worst Friday during the day, while Northwest Indiana gets hit in the later afternoon and overnight.

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Indiana

Winter storm watch issued in Chicago, NW Indiana ahead of lake-effect snow

Published

1 day ago

January 29, 2026

Press Room

Winter storm watch issued in Chicago, NW Indiana ahead of lake-effect snow

Several rounds of lake-effect snow could potentially make for dangerous travel conditions in Chicago and northwest Indiana, prompting a winter storm watch.

Snow could fall outside of the effected areas Friday morning and then again during the day on Saturday, but ground zero for the snowy weather could be Lake and Porter counties, where a winter storm watch has been issued by the National Weather Service.

In central and southern Cook County, the winter storm watch will be in effect from Friday afternoon through late Friday night.

According to the National Weather Service, an intense band of lake-effect snow is expected to develop over Lake Michigan on Friday, and could produce snowfall rates of two or more inches per hour at times in the Chicago area.

Some localized snowfall totals in central and southern Cook County could exceed six inches, according to NWS officials.

In Lake and Porter counties, that watch goes into effect Friday afternoon and will run through Saturday, and could potentially be upgraded to a winter storm warning as lake-effect snow begins to develop over Lake Michigan.

Some areas could see six or more inches of snow between Friday and Saturday evening, with the heaviest bands potentially dumping an inch of snow or more per hour on the region.

The heavy snow could make “travel very difficult,” according to NWS, and with the light and fluffy snow, winds could cause significant visibility issues in addition to snow-covered roadways.

Snow is expected to develop Friday morning and primarily impact northeastern Illinois, primarily in Lake and Cook counties, according to forecast models. Other parts of the area to the west and south of the city could see some snow in the early afternoon, but significant accumulations aren’t likely away from the lake.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for DuPage, Lake and Cook counties, taking effect at 9 a.m. Friday and running through 3 p.m. when the winter storm watch takes effect in Cook County.

A “burst” of accumulating snow is possible in the area, with slick travel conditions possible.

There will be some breaks in the snow because the heaviest snow bands are expected to “wobble” during the evening hours, but at its most intense the lake-effect snow bands could dump as much as an inch of snow or more per hour.

That “wobble” could push the lake-effect snow band into northeastern Illinois at times, leading to more snowfall along the shores of Lake Michigan into Saturday.

Some parts of Illinois along the state line with Indiana could continue to see snow depending on how far south the band pushes, but it won’t be as heavy as it will be in Lake and Porter counties.

As the lake-effect snow winds down, one other trend could potentially come into focus: warming temperatures. By Sunday highs could be in the mid-to-upper 20s across the area, and some forecast models are suggesting that readings could climb back above the freezing mark by next week, marking the first time in quite a while where readings could be above their normal levels for the season.

Be sure to stay tuned to the NBC 5 Storm Team for all the latest weather forecasts, and download the NBC Chicago app for real-time weather alerts sent directly to your phone.

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