A snow and parking emergency will be in effect in Kansas City, Kansas, starting at 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, according to a Unified Government announcement.
The declaration will be in effect until 11:59 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, unless extended.
During a snow emergency:
- No person shall drive a motor vehicle that doesn’t have tire chains, snow tires, or radial tires in a way that will cause the vehicle to get stalled due to its lack of snow equipment.
- Vehicles that become stalled on public roadways may be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense.
- No vehicles shall be parked on any streets designated as snow routes by appropriate signs. Vehicles parked on designated snow routes must be removed within two hours after 10 p.m. Dec. 21.
- Vehicles parked on designated snow routes may be towed at the owner’s expense.
The last Snow Emergency declared in Kansas City, Kansas, was Nov. 25, 2018.
“The Snow Emergency is meant to increase safety for motorists, pedestrians, and plow drivers,” said Dave Reno, Public Works public information officer. “Extremely low temperatures and high winds will make this storm especially challenging and dangerous for everyone. The public is strongly encouraged to remain home during this storm. Regular updates about winter weather operations will be posted on the Unified Government’s website and social media over the next several days.”
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm and wind chill warnings for Wyandotte County. Temperatures will hover around freezing on Dec. 21. Snow (2”-4”) and strong winds are expected to develop across the area tonight into Thursday, Dec. 22, creating near-blizzard conditions.
Extremely low temperatures and gusting winds make this storm especially challenging and dangerous. Salt treatments, including magnesium chloride, are exponentially less effective when temperatures fall below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning local roads risk becoming extremely slick. When coupled with the potential for blizzard-like conditions, Public Works has reason to believe this storm poses an uncommon safety hazard for the public and snowplow drivers, a spokesman stated.
If you must travel, please remember to slow down, drive with extreme caution, and give teams plenty of room to work safely.
Unified Government Ordinance Section 35-648 permits the UG Public Works director to declare a Snow or Parking Emergency.
To learn more about winter weather operations, view frequently asked questions, and read Public Works’ Snow and Ice Removal policy, visit wycokck.org/Snow.
To report service issues, dial 3-1-1 or visit mywyco.wycokck.org.
- Information from Unified Government