INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A charity of billionaire Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, have given a $2.5 million grant to an Indianapolis-based nonprofit health care provider that helps communities that are underserved and people who are homeless.

HealthNet Inc. announced the grant Wednesday in a news release. Kay Wiles, director of HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program, said in a statement that the money will help the nonprofit “refashion services for families, reducing the time they experience homelessness” in Indianapolis.

A news release from HealthNet said, “Specifically, HealthNet plans to use its funds to implement a ‘no wrong door’ approach for families experiencing homelessness. With an entry point team versed in housing problem-solving and the array of resources available to help families rapidly exit homelessness, HealthNet will increase family housing stability planning, streamlined connections to housing solutions, and creative collaboration among family shelter providers. These funds will have permanent impact.”

HealthNet has at least eight health centers in Indianapolis, and a location in Bloomington.

The release also cited a 2024 report that says 34 affordable housing units are available for every 100 low-income households in Indiana, and 76% of Hoosiers spend more than half their income on housing.

Bezos, the founder of Amazon, for seven years has given grants to organizations working with families that are homeless. Experts on family homelessness helped chose recipients of grants from Bezos; Day 1 Families Fund. Bezos and Sánchez have been in a relationship for five years, getting engaged in May 2023. Sánchez said Wednesday morning in a media interview she’s in the midst of wedding planning.

INDIANAPOLIS — The snow-free streak in Indianapolis will come to an end Thursday.

Can you remember the last time we had measurable snow? It was on February 16, 2024. This was 278 days ago. Many may remember this was the start of the NBA All-Star Game weekend in Indy.

It snowed 3.9″ that day, which was nearly half of last winter’s snow total. We had just 8.2″ of snow for the season of December 2023 plus January and February 2024.

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A normal winter would see about 21.2″ of snow. Winter 2024 tied as the 23rd least snowy winter in Indianapolis history.

Just trace amounts of snow fell in March and April 2024.

Snow is likely on Thursday. It’s been a while since Indy has seen snow, so here are a few reminders, specifically relating to your car.

Remember to add an emergency kit to your car with items like:

• A flashlight
• A blanket
• Warm clothes
• Food
• Water
• Jumper cables
• Scraper

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Jamie Freeman, the service manager at York Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Plainfield, says this is also a good time to ensure your car is ready for winter.

“Make sure your wipers are working; make sure there’s no streaking,” he recommends. “Make sure that the car’s getting hot, your heat’s working.”

Freeman also suggested checking your car batteries, coolant, and tires before you hit the road.

Continue to check back for forecast updates, especially relating to snow totals, for Thursday.

Central Indiana is poised to see its first accumulating snowfall of the year Thursday thanks to a cold front blowing into the Midwest beginning Wednesday.

Despite earlier reports the snow might not stick around, forecasters with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis now predict 1-2 inches of snow could accumulate in the Indy metro area, potentially impacting Thursday’s rush hour traffic.

Here’s what Hoosiers living in Central Indiana can expect.

When will it start snowing in Central Indiana?

Meteorologists said Central Indiana could see light snow falling Wednesday night into Thursday morning, followed by a second round of snow beginning around 4 p.m. Thursday.

Gusty winds and snow could impact Hoosier’s commute Thursday

Along with the frosty weather, forecasters said Hoosiers should brace for strong, freezing winds that might reduce visibility on some roads.

“We’re looking at wind gusts in the 40 mph range peaking around (Thursday afternoon), so that could cause some lower visibilities than what we usually see with these snow rates,” said NWS meteorologist Aaron Updike, who urged motorists to take caution and stay up to date with the weather.

“The snowfall should be pretty compact so it shouldn’t drift much, but whenever you get these high winds, you can have slicker roads,” Updike said. “If you’re traveling to and from work Thursday, just make sure you’re giving yourself extra time.”

How much snow could Indianapolis, Indiana, get?

Some areas of Central Indiana could see 1-2 inches of snow on the ground late Thursday, while areas north of Indianapolis into Kokomo might receive 2-3 inches, according to a social media post by NWS.

The heaviest snowfall is expected to occur Thursday afternoon into Thursday night.

“That’s going to make for a pretty dreary and cold Thursday,” said NWS meteorologist Andrew White on Tuesday. “Wind chills are going to be in the upper teens across portions of Central Indiana.”

Temperatures later into the week are expected to remain cold, with highs predicted to be in the upper 30s to mid 40s Friday into Sunday.

Live weather radar for Central Indiana

Winter weather is on the way: Tips to prevent frozen pipes, safely heat your home

Weather forecast for Central Indiana, per NWS

🌧️ Wednesday: Showers, mainly before noon. Steady temperature around 46. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

🌧️❄️ Wednesday night: Scattered rain and snow showers before midnight, then scattered rain showers between midnight and 2 a.m., then snow showers likely after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

❄️ Thursday: Snow showers before 5 p.m., then snow showers, possibly mixed with rain. Steady temperature around 33. West wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

❄️🌧️ Thursday night: Snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 7 p.m. Low around 32. North northwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

❄️🌧️ Friday: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 10 a.m., then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 45. West northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

☁️ Friday night: Cloudy, with a low around 36. West northwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

☁️ Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. West wind around 8 mph.

☁️ Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

🌤️ Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Light south wind becoming south southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.

🌧️ Sunday night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South southwest wind around 8 mph.

🌧️ Monday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

🌧️ Monday night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

🌧️ Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50.

Story continues after photo gallery.

How to prevent frozen pipes

To keep pipes from freezing Citizens Energy group recommends taking these steps: 

• If the indoor temperature drops as low as 55 degrees, open your faucets slightly so they constantly drip. 
• Open cabinet doors below sinks to let warm air circulate around the pipes. 
• Insulate pipes that may be exposed to cold air. 
• Make sure the lid on your water meter pit is secured tightly. If your water meter is in the basement, ensure the area is heated and check for broken windows. 
• If you have piping in the garage, ensure the garage doors stay closed and try to insulate the pipes. 
• Know where your water shut-off valve is so you can turn the water off quickly in the event a pipe bursts. Those valves can be found in the garage, basement, utility closet or main entry for the water line into your house.

Signs your have frozen pipes:

• Your faucets won’t flow and your toilets won’t refill after a flush
• A water line is coated in frost or is bulging

What to do if your pipes freeze

In the event that you identify a frozen pipe, here is what Citizens Energy recommends you do:

• Turn off the water at the shut-off valve. 
• Open the faucet attached to the frozen pipe to allow water to flow through and relieve pressure buildup. Running water through the pipe will also help melt any remaining ice. 
• Apply gradual heat to the section of frozen pipe. That can be done by wrapping the pipes in bath towels or using a space heater to heat up the area where the pipes are located. Keep applying heat until the water pressure is restored and the water flows through freely. Make sure to never apply direct heat to the affected area. 
• If a pipe is bulging or you can’t find the location of the blockage, then call a licensed plumber.

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John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.