Whitley County Emergency Management Agency

10/23/2026

🚨 Heads up, Whitley County! 🚨

Tomorrow morning, Saturday October 24, the Whitley County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and Parkview Health are teaming up for a training exercise at Parkview Whitley Hospital.

You may see more police, fire and EMS vehicles and personnel at the hospital. This is only an exercise. The LEPC holds one every year at sites around the county.

✅ Hospital services, treatment and patient safety will not be affected.

Thank you for your understanding as we train for a safer, more resilient Whitley County! 💪

10/22/2026

We are entering the season when deer are moving, and unfortunately this means they often end up injured in the roadway. We are currently working on updating our contact list for when a deer is struck and would be good for a family to fill the freezer. If you would like to be added to the list, please call our dispatch center with your information. If you have already spoken to our dispatchers updating the current list, there is no need to call in. You can reach us at 260-244-6410 option 1.

10/21/2026

Good news: the gas leak on S Line Street in Columbia City has been stopped and the hazard is contained.

• Affected residents are working directly with NIPSCO to safely return to their homes.
• Crews will remain on scene into the evening, so please continue to use caution and give workers room in the area.

A big thank you to the Columbia City Fire Department, Columbia City Police, NIPSCO, and everyone who assisted with this incident. Great teamwork keeping our community safe!

10/21/2026

Let’s talk about IPAWS!

Our county has had two IPAWS alerts in the past week, so here’s a quick rundown of how they work.

No sign-up needed. IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert & Warning System) alerts go out automatically. They’re only used for life-threatening or severe danger, so if you get one, take it seriously!

Alerts can reach you in more than one way:
~Wireless networks: Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your cell phone
~TV and radio: the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on broadcast, cable, and satellite
~Weather radios: NOAA Weather Radio

Still sign up for local alerts! IPAWS doesn’t cover everything. Sign up for local alerts too so you get other urgent and emergency notifications.

Alerts are sent to a specific area. That area can be a circle, a square, or a custom shape drawn around the affected location.

You might get an alert even if you’re outside the area. Phone alerts go to cell towers, so if your phone is connected to a tower inside the alert area, you may get it even if you aren’t physically there.

Alerts have a character limit. Only a short message fits, so not every detail can go out. If the alert lists a source for updates, check it, and follow our page for the latest information.

Alerts are sent by people. Mistakes can happen, so always check the listed source for updates and corrections.

Stay safe, stay informed!

10/21/2026

***UPDATE***

She's been located and found safe!

************

Columbia City Police is searching for Aundrea Barajas, a 13yr old is missing from Columbia City. She is a Hispanic female 5ft 3in 100lb wearing a light color sweatpants, light color jacket with horizontal pinstripes, leopard print backpack, with black shoulder length hair. Last seen in the west side of Columbia City at 7:15 am. If you see this child, call 911 immediately.

10/21/2026

🚧 ROAD CLOSURE – COLUMBIA CITY 🚧

South Line St. is CLOSED between Radio Rd. and Spencer St. due to a gas leak.

Expected to last through Thursday, 10/22

Whitley County Solid Waste Facility is CLOSED tomorrow, Wednesday, 10/21

Crews are on scene working to keep everyone safe and restore service. Please avoid the area and find an alternate route.

We'll update this post as we learn more. Please share to help spread the word!

10/20/2026

10/19/2026

9:15 AM - Power has been restored.

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7:45 AM - POWER OUTAGE: A vehicle accident that resulted in a broken pole has caused a power outage affecting nearly 300 members southwest of Churubusco.

Crews are responding to the outage and will work to restore power as safely and quickly as possible.