01/27/2026
** County Travel Advisory - WARNING **
Disaster Emergency Declaration For Travel Restriction
Martin County, Indiana
January 25, 2026
Authority
Whereas, Martin County, Indiana has been impacted by or is immediately threatened by the following emergency conditions:
Winter Storm Warning, Heavy Snowfall, Blowing and Drifting Snow, Low Wind Chills and;
Now, therefore, we, the Martin County Board of Commissioners, pursuant to IC 10-14-3-29 declare that a local disaster emergency exists for the next seven (7) days in the County and that we hereby invoke those portions of the Indiana Code which are applicable to the conditions and have caused the issuance of this declaration to be in full force and effect in the county for the exercise of all necessary emergency measures necessary for protection of lives and property and the prompt restoration of local government services.
The effect of this declaration is to:
(1) Activate the response and recovery aspects of all applicable county disaster emergency plans.
(2) Authorize the furnishing of aid and assistance under the plans.(3) Pursuant to IC 10-14-3-29.5, declare a Warning, the highest level of local travel advisory, during which travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only, as that term is defined in IC 10-14-3-3. The term includes a volunteer health practitioner registered under IC 10-14-3.5.
During a Warning, all persons are called upon and directed to refrain from all travel, to comply with necessary emergency measures, to cooperative with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans, and to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers. Further and more specific restrictions upon travel and parking to be placed in effect are as follows:
All public officers and employees of Martin County are hereby designated as emergency management workers for the duration of this emergency but are hereby directed to limit their travel to that which is essential to the discharge their public safety and essential service duties. Such employees are also hereby directed to exercise the utmost diligence in the discharge of duties required of them for the duration of the emergency and in ex*****on of emergency laws, regulations, and directives, state and local.
In accordance with IC 10-14-3-29.5(a)(3) and IC 10-14-3-29(d), this Declaration does not prohibit emergency management workers, as defined in IC 10-14-3-3, individuals engaged in employment necessary to maintain a safe rail system, restore a public utility or provide any other emergency public service from traveling within the County during this local disaster emergency.
All operating forces will direct their communications and requests for assistance and operations directly to the Director of Emergency Management.
Reference is hereby made to all appropriate laws, statutes, ordinances, and resolutions, and particularly to sections 10-14-3-5.5, 10-14-3-29 and 10-14-3-29.5 of the Indiana Code.
Under IC 10-14-3-29.5, there are three travel advisory levels. If the emergency management agency director or the principal executive officer of a political subdivision determines that conditions within the political subdivision have created the need for travel advisory restrictions without a local disaster emergency declaration, the emergency management agency director or the principal executive officer may issue an "advisory" or a "watch" level travel advisory. A "warning" level travel advisory may be issued only after a local disaster emergency is declared under IC 10-14-3-29.
(1) Advisory is the lowest level of local travel advisory. It means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation. Citizens should use caution or avoid these areas. Schools and businesses may begin to implement their emergency action plans.
(2) Watch means that conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. Only essential travel is recommended (i.e. to and from work, emergency situation, etc.). Emergency action plans have been or should now be implemented by businesses, schools, government agencies and other organizations. The emergency management agency director or the principal executive officer of a political subdivision may determine that conditions within the political subdivision have created the need for travel advisory restrictions without a local disaster emergency being declared under IC 10-14-3-29. The emergency management agency director or the principal executive officer may issue travel advisory restrictions, but such restrictions shall be limited to the travel advisory levels “advisory” and “watch”.
(3) Warning means that travel may be restricted to emergency personnel only. During a “Warning” Emergency, all citizens are called upon and directed to refrain from all travel, to comply with necessary emergency measures, to cooperative with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans, and to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers. Under IC 10-14-3-29.5(d), further and more specific restrictions may be included in a “warning” local travel advisory.
IC 10-14-3-29 states that a local disaster emergency declaration may not be continued or renewed for more than seven (7) days except by or with the consent of the governing body of the political subdivision.
This Declaration shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly in the office of the County Clerk.
Paul R. George, President
Retha Warner, Member
Aaron Summers, Member
Attest
Michelle Norris, Martin County Auditor
