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Is my county under a travel advisory? How to check the Indiana travel advisory map

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. ow-to-check-the-indiana-travel-advisory-map.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, November 10th 2025 at 9:50 GMT by The Indianapolis Star

Why the travel advisories are in place

The advisory list was prompted by a multi‑day storm that dumped heavy snow, brought wind chills below freezing, and left roads slick in many parts of the state. Officials noted that while the storm’s center had moved north, residual blizzard‑like conditions still persisted in northern and central Indiana. With temperatures dipping into the teens and occasional snowfall rates reaching an inch a hour, state and local agencies—particularly the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Indiana State Police—issued travel warnings to keep people from taking unnecessary trips. The advisories also signaled that road closures, delayed traffic, and potential school or business closures could occur in the affected counties.

The counties under advisory

The article listed a total of 18 counties with active advisories at the time of publication. These counties included:

1. Allen
2. Bartholomew
3. Boone
4. Brown
5. Carroll
6. Cass
7. Clay
8. Crawford
9. Delaware
10. Elkhart
11. Grant
12. Hamilton
13. Hancock
14. Harrison
15. Henry
16. Johnson
17. Monroe
18. Putnam

Each county was categorized by the advisory color—red, orange, or yellow—on the DHS map. Red indicates a major incident that threatens life and property, orange signifies a significant adverse weather event or other hazardous condition, and yellow denotes a moderate or minor incident. The Indiana Star’s article noted that most counties were on orange or yellow alerts, with a few—such as Allen and Elkhart—on red due to their proximity to the storm’s path and the presence of larger highways and airports.

How to check the DHS travel‑advisory map

The feature provided a step‑by‑step guide to using the DHS interactive map, which was accessed via the DHS website at https://www.dhs.gov/map/. The instructions highlighted:

1. Navigate to the DHS “Travel Advisories” section. The map is interactive and updates in real time (usually every 15–30 minutes).
2. Select the state of Indiana from the dropdown list. The map then highlights each county with a color that corresponds to the level of advisory.
3. Hover over a county to view a tooltip that details the advisory level, the agency responsible for the alert (e.g., INDOT or the State Police), and the time the advisory was issued.
4. Check the “Notes” tab for specific instructions such as “road closures on I‑69 in Allen County” or “delayed flight schedules at Indianapolis International Airport.”

The article emphasized that residents should check the map before leaving home and update their plans as new data comes in, especially because the winter storm’s intensity can shift rapidly.

Additional resources and safety tips

To supplement the DHS map, the Indiana Star linked to the Indiana Department of Weather Services’ real‑time weather radar feed at https://www.in.gov/weather/. That link gave readers instant access to snowfall rates, wind speeds, and temperature fronts. The article also referenced the local Indiana State Police “Storm Safety” page, which provided downloadable PDFs with guidelines on how to prep your vehicle, what to keep in a winter emergency kit, and when to consider staying home.

The advisory list also triggered a call from INDOT’s traffic management center: “If you must travel, use the highway exit signs to check for detours and be prepared for delayed traffic. If you encounter a snowplow, wait until the lane is cleared before proceeding.” The Indiana Star urged people to keep a charged phone, a car charger, and a blanket in their vehicles. It reminded residents that the storm’s effects could be exacerbated by power outages, so staying indoors and away from the storm was often the safest option.

How the advisory impacts daily life

In the counties on red or orange advisories, schools and businesses faced potential closures or delayed openings. The article included an anecdote from a local elementary school in Allen County that had to postpone classes until after the snow melted. In other counties, grocery stores and essential services were advised to remain open but warned of potential traffic jams and slower deliveries. Transportation officials noted that the Indiana Star’s “Travel Advisory” map had been crucial for coordinating volunteer efforts—particularly for delivering supplies to the most isolated communities.

A broader context: national coordination

The Indiana Star article framed the local advisories as part of a national effort to manage winter weather across the Midwest. It cited the DHS’s partnership with the National Weather Service and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which coordinate real‑time updates for both travelers and emergency responders. The piece referenced a 2024 DHS briefing that highlighted the importance of real‑time data in preventing accidents during severe weather, underscoring that the travel‑advisory map is a key tool in that effort.

Bottom line

The Indiana Star’s November 10 piece served as a practical guide for Hoosiers navigating a challenging winter storm. By listing the affected counties, explaining how to read the DHS color‑coded map, and providing actionable safety tips, the article empowered residents to make informed decisions. Whether you were a commuter, a school parent, or someone needing to deliver essential supplies, the article made clear that staying connected to official resources—especially the DHS travel‑advisory map—was the best way to weather the storm safely.