Live blog: Helene’s high winds, rain have big Indiana impact
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The remnants of Hurricane Helene will lash much of Indiana with gusty winds and steady rain throughout the day on Friday.
Circle City Classic canceled its annual Pep Rally, scheduled for 4-6 p.m. outside Lucas Oil Stadium, due to weather.
Dozens of high school football games scheduled for Friday night have been postponed.
In southern Indiana, several school districts canceled classes or moved to remote learning in anticipation of Friday’s severe weather.
Follow along throughout the day for updates on closings and cancellations, power outages, flight delays, and more.
Send your storm photos to WISHWeatherpics@wishtv.com!
2:05 p.m.
Indianapolis Indians announce the SWING fundraiser set for tonight at Victory Field has been rescheduled for next year.
1:55 p.m.
BREAKING: Indianapolis Public Schools has canceled all after-school events, including athletic competitions and practices. After-care services WILL still be provided.
IPS also says the weather is likely to cause bus delays and poor Wi-Fi and app signals from buses.
1:45 p.m.
Another community/homecoming/football cancellation, this one in Speedway.
1:40 p.m.
Jay County Jr/Sr High School has canceled its homecoming parade for the night.
From the school’s Facebook page: The football game this evening is still taking place. Any decisions about games are made in conjunction with the schools and the IHSAA at or near game time.
At this time the presentation of the Homecoming Court and crowning of the King and Queen will go on. We will also have the 5th quarter Movie Night for the high schoolers in the main gym after the game.
1:25 p.m.
The weather has forced a charter school in Indianapolis to close early for the day. Enlace Academy is dismissing at 1:30 p.m. due to the high winds.
1:10 p.m.
More high school football postponements. Carmel vs. North Central moved to Saturday.
12:40 p.m.
Conner Prairie has announced it is closed for the remainder of today due to high winds.
12:35 p.m.
Greenwood is reporting downed power lines along US 31. Southbound 31 is blocked from Apryl Drive to Stop 18.
12:15 p.m.
High winds have led to the first high school football cancellation of the day. The MyINDY-TV 23 Game of the Week between Lawrence North and Ben Davis has been postponed to Saturday. The new kickoff time has not been announced.
12:05 p.m.
Purdue has canceled the planned Homecoming Parade for this evening. Other events are expected to continue as scheduled surrounding Saturday’s game.
12 p.m.
The High Wind Warning for nearly all of central Indiana is now in effect. Meteorologist Tara Hastings says strong winds have arrived, and we could see gusts of 60 mph this afternoon. The warning remains in effect until 11 p.m.
11:40 a.m.
Duke Energy reports power outages have topped 1,000 customers in Indiana. AES Indiana (the former IPL) reports 1,182 outages in its customers as high winds begin to arrive in central Indiana.
11 a.m.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway has canceled all Friday track activity for the Driven2SavLives BC39 at the Dirt Track inside Turn 3.
A doubleheader for the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship is planned for Saturday, Sept. 28 at the quarter-mile dirt oval inside Turn 3, weather permitting.
An update on the event schedule will be provided at 6 p.m. Friday.
Customers with tickets, pit passes, and/or parking passes for Friday night will be contacted by the IMS Ticket Office.
10:30 a.m.
Indianapolis International Airport is reporting 14 delayed flights and 11 cancellations.
More than 1,800 flights within, into, or out of the United States have been delayed today and nearly 1,200 are already canceled. Most of the cancellations and delays are in the South, including Charlotte, Tampa, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Asheville, and Raleigh.
9:40 a.m.
A high wind warning is in place for portions of southwest and west central Indiana until 1 a.m. Saturday.
This includes the cities of Gosport, Shelburn, Carlisle, Washington, Montezuma, Rosedale, Loogootee, Sullivan, Brazil, Spencer, Crawfordsville, Shoals, and Vincennes.
Expect northeast winds of 20-30 mph with wind gusts of up to 60 mph.
Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines and widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profiles vehicles.
The strongest winds are in the 4 – 9 p.m. timeframe.
9:37 a.m.
A high wind warning remains in effect for much of central Indiana until 11 p.m. EDT.
This includes the cities of Greenwood, Greenfield, Indianapolis, Danville, Martinsville, Greensburg,
Bedford, Fishers, Brownsburg, Plainfield, Noblesville, Bloomington, New Castle, Shelbyville, Rushville, Carmel, Zionsville, Lebanon, Franklin, Columbus, and Seymour.
Expect northeast winds of 25-35 mph with gusts of up to 60 mph.
Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines and widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profiles vehicles.
The strongest winds are expected in the 4 – 8 p.m. timeframe.