Bartholomew County emergency officials have declared a travel watch in the community due to the deteriorating road conditions. The sheriff’s department is asking that you only travel if necesary today and use caution.

During a travel watch only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended, and emergency action plans should be implemented by businesses and other organizations.

The sheriff’s department reports that the roads are being treated but they are ice-covered and slick.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is reporting that all of its plow trucks are out there this morning in southeastern Indiana, trying to deal with the storm. The agency said that all of its plows were deployed in advance of the winter storm. There are 27 trucks from Columbus, 28 from Bloomington, 33 from Madison and 31 each from Aurora and the Sellerburg area.

INDOT says that the highways and interstates are being treated continuously with salt during the rush hour today.

They suggest that you should be careful out there, leaving early, driving slowly and staying alert for icy patches and black ice.