Lake-effect snowfall closes schools in northwest Indiana

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (AP) - College campuses and schools in northwestern Indiana closed Thursday after a winter storm dumped several inches of lake-effect snow on parts of the region.

Closings included Ivy Tech Community College campuses in in Michigan City and LaPorte, Purdue University Northwest's Westville campus and the Michigan City Area Schools.

The National Weather Service reported traffic officials measured 9.5 inches (24 centimeters) of snow near Westville and 7.5 inches (19 centimeters) near Michigan City.

Michigan City-area resident Julina Adams told The (Northwest Indiana) Times that road conditions early Thursday were poor east of U.S. 421.

'œCounty roads have snow on them up past my bumper and the road is totally invisible,'ť she said.

The Indiana Department of Transportation warned motorists of 'œhazardous travel conditions'ť

"Expect low visibility and rapidly changing conditions in those areas,'ť INDOT said.