INDIANAPOLIS — Check in with 13News for continuing updates as the remnants of Helene move into the Ohio River Valley bringing powerful wind and rain to central Indiana. Conditions are expected to be worst between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. 13News will be tracking power outages, closures and cancelations caused by the storm all weekend long.
1:00 p.m.
Lebanon High School has postponed its game versus Tri-West tonight due to the impact of Helene. Conner Prairie is closed. Lawrence County schools are closing an hour early for the same reason. The Indy Speedrome is postponing tonight's races until Oct. 6.
AES has 1,200 customers without power. Duke Energy has about 1,500.
If you're in Indianapolis and you encounter downed tree limbs or debris in the road, you're asked to call the Mayor's Action Center at 317-327-4622.
12:40 p.m.
A tree is down on North Tacoma Avenue on the northeast side of Indianapolis, near the intersection of 30th Street and Keystone Avenue. DPW is aware of the downed tree. 13News reporter Anna Chalker is on the scene.
12:20 p.m.
The Purdue Student Union is canceling its homecoming parade tonight because of the wind and rain from Helene. In a statement, the Student Union says "this decision has been made in collaboration with Purdue emergency management partners, considering the anticipated severe weather conditions of rain throughout the day and the potential for winds 25 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph"
AES Indiana has about 1,200 customers without power. Duke Energy has about 1,000.
12:00 p.m.
Noblesville Schools is canceling its homecoming parade due to high winds and rain this evening.
AES Indiana has about 1,200 customers without power. Duke Energy has about 1,300 Hoosier customers without power.
Live Doppler 13 meteorologist Sean Ash has our latest update on what to expect from Helene today.
Bargersville Fire Deputy Chief Mike Pruitt and Indiana State Police First Sergeant John Perrine have put out a video to help walk you through the safety precautions you should take while we're dealing with Helene.
Indiana Task Force 1 deployed to the Florida panhandle before Helene hit, to be in position to help. They have posted pictures showing they've been hard at work providing aid since early this morning.
11:15 a.m.
We are getting a better idea of when the worst of the wind will hit central Indiana. Live Doppler 13 meteorologist Sean Ash says the strongest gusts will hit between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27. But there will be a High Wind Warning for most of the day.
We are getting more closures:
- The Circle City Classic has cancelled the pep rally that was planned outside Lucas Oil today.
- Enlace Academy, a charter school in Indianapolis, is closed.
- Jennings County Schools are on e-learning today.
Duke Energy is down to about 440 customers without power. AES says about 1,000 customers are without power.
10:45 a.m.
IU Police have closed 13th Street between N Woodlawn Avenue and N Walnut Grove Street in Bloomington due to a power line that is down. We are expecting the number of downed powerlines to increase throughout the day due to the wind from Helene's remnants. Here's what you need to remember with downed power lines:
- Never touch or go near a downed power line—stay at least 10 feet away.
- Always assume it is live and report it. In Indianapolis, you can report downed lines to AES by calling 317-261-8111.
- If there is a downed tree limb tangled in power lines do not try to remove it yourself. Wait until utility crews.
AES is reporting about 940 customers without power right now. Duke Energy's outage map shows 1,200 customers without power.
10:20 a.m.
Expected rain totals are rising, according to Live Doppler 13 meteorologist Matt Standridge. The heaviest bands of rain are expected to fall between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., which is also when we are expecting the strongest winds. Central Indiana is now expected to get between 1.5 and 4 inches. You can read more on the 13 Weather blog.
Sheridan Schools have canceled their homecoming parade due to the High Wind Warning. They will replace it with a pep session in the varsity gym.
10:00 a.m.
Across central Indiana, emergency management agencies are preparing for what Tropical Storm Helene might bring. With wind gusts between 50 and 60 miles an hour possible as far north as Muncie and Kokomo, the region is braced for power outages and damage that will increase throughout the daylight hours.
AES Indiana customers without power are down to around 500, while Duke Energy customers without power have climbed to 1,200, with most of the new outages around Bloomington.
9:30 a.m.
Helene has been downgraded to a tropical storm, but the outer bands are already slashing central Indiana with rain and rising wind. AES Indiana reports about 1,900 customers without power. Duke Energy reports just over 1,000 customers without power, with the largest outages around Richmond and Bloomington.