snow

Northwest Indiana weather: Parts of area dig out after storm brings 3 feet of snow

Lake-effect snow causes dangerous driving conditions across LaPorte County

Sunday, January 21, 2024

Parts of NW Indiana dig out of 3 feet of snow

Parts of LaPorte County are trying to clean up after a storm brought more than 3 feet of snow in Michigan City, Indiana.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (WLS) -- Since Friday, the snow has been nonstop in Michigan City, Indiana, with several inches of lake-effect snow falling each hour at one point.

The good news on Sunday morning is that the travel warning has been lifted for LaPorte County Indiana.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Weather reports came in with snow totals reaching 36 inches of snow. Snow plow companies worked through the night for days to try and keep up.

Lake-effect snow continues to fall in Northwest Indiana creating treacherous road conditions.

Snow totals in LaPorte County

Trail Creek - 36 inches

Michigan City - 35 inches

Pinola - 32 inches

Springville - 30.5 inches

La Porte - 28 inches

Waterford - 27 inches

Kingsford Heights - 25 inches

Running on utter exhaustion, snow plower Dave Westphal worked through the night to plow snow for residents and businesses.

"I've been out three days with no sleep," Westphal said. "I'm at people's beck and call because number one they have to get out. I cater to the elderly."

ABC7 spoke with the mayor of Michigan City, who said every plow they had was on the road to try and keep the streets as clear as they could, considering how fast the snow was coming down.

Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deutch declared a snow emergency on Friday, which ended Saturday afternoon, but she urged residents to stay indoors Saturday night as roads were to be cleared overnight.

Residents of Michigan City can leave can call 219-873-1500 and leave a voicemail for any snow emergency.

"Public safety is of paramount concern during this snow event," Deuitch said. "We ask everyone to stay off the roads, if you can avoid it, until the emergency status has been liked. We will continue to monitor the weather and reassess throughout the day; but until we make that call, we've got crews out working to clear the streets."

Although it is chilly on Sunday, warmer weather is on the way which will help melt some of the large snow piles.

On a blustery and frigid Saturday morning in Michigan Cityan arctic snowscape has brought the tiny city to a near halt...all except for the LakeShore Cafe.

Michigan City was desolate and unforgiving Friday night and Saturday morning, but one lone business braved the elements to open up shop.

"I was not expecting all this snow," LakeShore Cafe manager Gabriella Retseck said. "I was not expecting to shovel myself out this morning."

On a blustery and frigid morning, an arctic snowscape has brought the tiny city to a near halt all except for the LakeShore Cafe on Wabash Street, opening its door for its customers when few shops in town could.

The snow storm has negatively affected businesses in the area due to less foot traffic amid travel restrictions.

"It affected us pretty bad," Retseck said. "I counted, we only had 25 transactions yesterday. That was not a normal day whatsoever."

Retseck worked solo to keep the coffee brewing amidst the multiple feet of snow that had fallen outside. Customers at the café were grateful.

"It's just kind of a vibe on a Saturday morning, just to come here, my journal, do some work," customer Jay Ollero said. "It's nice to not be stuck in a room and to be able to come out have some normalcy when there's so much inconvenience and disruption."

Meanwhile, a Wind Chill Advisory was in effect for Chicago's western suburbs from midnight through 10 a.m. Sunday.