Indianapolis digging out after 7.3 inches of snow falls in city on Thursday

INDIANAPOLIS — Contractors are clearing streets in Indianapolis on Friday following a winter storm that set a new Feb. 3 record for snowfall.

The National Weather Service reported 7.6 inches of snow fell Wednesday and Thursday in Indianapolis, including 7.3 inches on Thursday. The storm led to 81 crashes, 87 slide-offs and 242 motorist assists in the Indiana State Police Indianapolis district as of 7 a.m. Friday, according to Sgt. John Perrine.

Marion County remains under a travel advisory as of 6:45 p.m. Friday, while surrounding areas remained under advisories and watches.

The Indianapolis Department of Public Works said it activated contracted snowplow vendors to begin plowing residential streets.

“I lived around here for six years and this - I ain't never seen it like this," Tommy Anderson said after getting his car stuck in the snow.

The contractors are working to remove snow from 4,400 lane miles of smaller residential roadways beyond the 4,000 lane miles of roads maintained by Indy DPW Snow Force crews, according to a news release.

Some used garden shovels and the help of neighbors to free their cars from the packed snow.

Vendors are contracted to make a single pass along each public residential street. The city says it'll cost about $500,000 for the callout, which is covered by DPW's budget.

Indy DPW hopes side streets will be cleared by Saturday. Here is a map of Indy DPW snow plow routes, which include thoroughfares and connector streets.

People who park on the street are asked to either make sure their vehicles are hugging the curb or park in off-street locations so plows can access narrower residential streets.

If you notice any issues with plowing - you're asked to reach out to the Mayor's Action Center.

On Friday morning, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, Indy DPW and other officials gave an update on the road conditions.