Winter Storm in La Porte, Indiana

On average 9 to 12 inches of snow fell across the county. A report of 14 inches was received southwest of Laporte. A 19 year old woman was killed in a head on collision on US 20 just west of the Indiana 39 intersection, near Springville. Her vehicle slid on slippery roads and collided with a westbound pickup truck. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was taken in serious condition to a local hospital.

A powerful winter storm blanketed all of northern Indiana with heavy snow and strong winds. This caused widespread whiteout conditions across the area with many roads becoming impassable due to drifting snowfall. Numerous schools and businesses were closed on Valentines day as a result of the dangerous weather. The blowing and drifting was so widespread, that many counties pulled the snow plows from the roads and declared travel restrictions to all but emergency vehicles. Two weather related deaths were reported, one in Ashley in Steuben county and the other in Springville in Laporte county. Both deaths were traffic accident related. Accumulations ranged from 6 inches across the far north, to 17 inches from White county towards Grant county.