This week’s winter storm that pounded nearly all of the Midwest bypassed Switzerland County and Southeastern Indiana; but heavy rains, falling temperatures, and high winds did take their toll here.
Heavy rain on Tuesday created hazardous driving conditions in the East Enterprise area and other northern portions of the county, as the rain turned to ice and made driving – and even walking – very difficult.
Although the rain along the river and in Vevay did not freeze, strong winds blew into the area late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, causing a power outage in Vevay and the cancellation of school for Wednesday.
Vevay Chief of Police James Richards said that power was cut off to the town at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning due to strong winds pushing a light pole onto electrical lines in the parking area of the Switzerland County Fairgrounds.
Vevay officer Pete Schonfeld assisted at the scene, along with the Jeff-Craig Fire Department; the Switzerland County Sheriff’s Department; town of Vevay workers; and Chief Richards.
The power was out all over town until approximately 8:30 a.m.; and during the time Chief Richards said that members of the Jeff-Craig Fire Department placed a firetruck at the intersection of Main and Ferry streets to illuminate the stop signs and help drivers going through town and the town’s main intersection.
“Jeff-Craig firemen also assisted us by roaming the streets looking for suspicious activity and giving aid to anyone who needed it,” Chief Richards said.
At about 6 a.m. the Switzerland County Dispatch Center reported that fire alarms had been activated at Switzerland County High School, but it was determined to be a false alarm.
Chief Richards said that the Switzerland County Sheriff’s Department also assisted in patrolling and assisting with alarms going off in town.
“We want to thank the Sheriff’s Department for their assistance as well as the dispatch center making the necessary calls to take care of the problems,” the chief said.
Chief Richards also thanked Vevay Utilities workers for examining the town’s sewer, water, generators, and other items during the power outage that assured the safety of the town’s utility resources.
Power was restored in Vevay at approximately 8:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.
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The National Weather Service issued a strong wind advisory for the region that expired at 6 p.m. Wednesday night; but the forecast for the weekend appears clear of problems, with partly sunny skies and daytime temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s expected through the beginning of next week.
The next chance for snow appears to be Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, but little accumulation is expected.