Hoosiers confused by warnings, watches

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Hoosiers were faced with a number of updates and advisories during Wednesday's snow storm.

At times one county was in a warning while another county was under a watch.

Indiana's Homeland Security has a color coded chart that defines the warnings and watches.

Red is a warning. That's when travel is restricted to emergency personnel only. Orange is a watch and only essential travel is suggested, such as to and from work.

The dilemma some residents were faced with was deciding which one to follow.

If the state issues a warning and your county issues a watch you are required to follow your county's restrictions.

"The county oversees traffic, and they have the warnings that are consistent through the state of Indiana," said Arvin Copeland with Indiana Homeland Security.

According to Indiana Homeland Security the state rarely issues weather warnings. Indiana typically leaves that to the counties.

Countless Hoosiers stayed home because of warnings and watches issued on Wednesday.

Some viewers complained, saying they received pressure from their employers to come into work despite the warnings issued for no travel.

In those cases employees are urged to call their emergency management offices and report the problem.