INDIANAPOLIS -- As Central Indiana expects to see severe weather on Wednesday, entities are encouraging Hoosiers to prepare for the potential of damaging winds and flooding. According to previous reports, a threat of severe weather is expected to start in western Indiana around 5 p.m. and quickl y move east. The threats could involve damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall. Heightened severe weather threat tonight; all modes in play across the state Duke Energy Officials with Duke Energy said in a news release that ways customers should be prepared this evening include: Ensuring phones remain charged Having an adequate supply of flashlights, batteries, bottled water, nonperishable foods, medicines Individuals are also encouraged to stay away from downed electrical lines, the release said. “A critical part of being safe in severe weather is being prepared,” said Clint Carnahan, general manager of emergency preparedness at Duke Energy. “We do regular storm planning throughout the year, and we want our customers to be prepared as well so they can react quickly during a storm.” Customers who experience an outage during the storm can report it in the following ways: Text OUT to 57801 Use the Duke Energy mobile app Visit Duke Energy's outages page on a computer or mobile device Call the automated outage-reporting system at (800) 343-3525 Officials said the company's outage map will feature up-to-date information on power outages and estimated times of restoration. INDOT Officials with the Indiana Department of Transportation said in a news release that the National Weather Service issued flood watches for all Indiana counties south of a line extending from Terre Haute to Indianapolis, as well as Muncie. Officials said "significant flash and river flooding is likely in these areas." INDOT operations crews are clearing drains and preparing equipment to close flooded state roads based on conditions, the release said. Drivers are encouraged to follow "road closed" signs and barricades to avoid being stranded in flood waters. "It is never safe to drive around barricades through high water," the release said. "...Downed trees and power lines will also be possible due to heavily saturated ground and high winds." Individuals are able to check real-time travel conditions and view traffic cameras via the 511 website or through INDOT's TrafficWise application. Schools closing early because of severe weather potential Some schools in Central Indiana are closing early because of the potential of severe weather on Wednesday. According to a post from the Brown County Schools on social media, the Brown County Schools will implement an early release at 2 p.m. on Wednesday "to ensure the safety of our students, staff and drivers." The post also read that after-school activities, events and care are also canceled. "Our priority is to allow all bus routes to run safely and for families to make necessary arrangements ahead of the storm's arrival," the post read. Counties offering sandbags ahead of severe weather According to a post on social media from the Howard County Emergency Management Agency, residents of Howard County are able to pick up sandbags for potential flooding at three locations. Residents are asked to bring a shovel. The three locations where residents can pick up sandbags include: Howard County EMA, located at 627 S. Berkeley Howard County Highway Department, located at 625 S. Berkeley Street Department, located at 720 E Boulevard. Delaware County is also offering sandbags to residents at two stations, one at the fairgrounds and the other at the county highway garage. The two stations are fill-your-own bag stations and residents must bring their own shovel. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. ...read more read less