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Mother Nature has been busy these past few days. We’re working hard to keep you updated and supported through the winter weather. Here’s what you need to know:
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Stay connected
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The scoop (no shoveling required)
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- BPD Headquarters Meeting. The public meeting on the Bloomington Police Department’s future headquarters scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, has been canceled and tentatively rescheduled for January 27 at 5:30 p.m.
- Monroe County Schools. Tomorrow, January 7, MCCSC schools will move to independent, self-paced eLearning due to inclement weather. There will be no live instruction.
- Sanitation Services.
- Plan: Routes are expected to resume tomorrow (Tuesday, January 7), but conditions could change. Collections will continue one day later than usual for the remainder of the week.
- Goal: Complete trash and recycling pickups by end of day Friday. Thanks for your patience as our crews work safely through the weather.
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Stay safe and help others
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- Skip the drive. Unless it’s essential, stay cozy indoors. No quick snack runs (your destination is probably closed anyway) and no "I’ll just pop out for a minute and pretend I’m in a holiday movie montage." Fewer cars on the road mean faster clearing and safer streets for everyone.
- Check on neighbors. Bloomington’s best feature? Its people! Give a quick call or text to neighbors who might need a little extra help.
- Thank a worker. From plow drivers and fleet mechanics to police, fire, utilities, and those answering questions and phones, it takes a village (and a lot of elbow grease) to keep the city moving. Give them a big thank-you—they deserve it!
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What’s on the horizon?
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- Jack Frost isn’t leaving just yet. Temperatures are staying chilly, with a possible encore of snow this weekend. Keep an eye on the forecast to stay prepared.
- Office or couch? That’s a question for your employer. Monroe County sets travel advisories, the City of Bloomington helps spread the word, and your employer makes the final call. If you have concerns about safety, we recommend checking with your employer for guidance and keeping an eye on county updates.
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French toast favorites wanted
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We know you stocked up on bread, milk, and eggs—so let’s put them to good use! Share your favorite French toast recipes with us and show off your snow day culinary skills. Who knows? You might inspire a new city-wide favorite.
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Driving in winter weather
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If you absolutely must drive, follow these AAA safety tips:
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- Drive slowly. Always adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice.
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take time to slow down for a stoplight.
- Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
- Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads will just make your wheels spin.
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Home safety
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- Stay warm and mindful. Keep space heaters flat and free—three feet away from anything flammable and never leave them on overnight.
- Be a hydrant hero. Clear a 3-foot perimeter around nearby fire hydrants to help firefighters save time in an emergency.
- Wrap it up! Insulate exposed pipes and outdoor faucets.
- No flames, no problems. If pipes freeze, thaw them gently with a hair dryer or warm towels—no torches allowed!
- Drip, drip, hooray! Let faucets drip to keep pipes from freezing, and open under-sink cabinets to let warm air flow.
- Keep pets safe. Avoid salt and chemicals that can irritate pets' paws and wipe up any antifreeze spills.
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Questions? Reach out to Bloomington Fire Department (812-332-9763) or Utilities (812-339-1444).
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We will continue to monitor the storm and provide updates as needed.
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