With a winter storm system in the forecast tonight and Saturday for Wyandotte County, with from three to five inches of snow possible, residents are urged to be prepared.
The Kansas Division of Emergency Management is activating the State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka to an enhanced steady state, a partial level, to monitor weather conditions and stand by to receive any requests for state assistance.
Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a state of disaster emergency declaration for Kansas on Friday afternoon. It authorizes state resources and personnel to be used to assist with response and recovery operations in affected counties.
“I encourage all Kansans to stay warm and safe during the projected snow storm in the coming days,” Gov. Kelly said in a news release. “Stay off the roads if possible and be mindful of emergency response personnel working hard to keep our citizens safe.”
The Kansas National Guard has Stranded Motorists Assistance Response Teams in three locations in northeast Kansas because of the projected snowfall and strong northerly winds. These units will have the ability to assist local public safety agencies to reach stranded motorists if local resources are exceeded.
“Kansans are urged to change or delay their travel plans in these areas until the storm moves through,” said Jonathan York, Response and Recovery Branch director. “If you plan to travel, use caution and make sure your car emergency kit is stocked.”
The storm is expected to begin around 6 p.m. Friday in Wyandotte County, and the area is under a winter weather advisory until 3 p.m. Saturday.
The temperature was in the mid-30s at 4 p.m. in Wyandotte County, but is expected to fall to 19 tonight and to 8 degrees on Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service.
In advance of the snowstorm the Kansas Highway Patrol will be towing away abandoned vehicles on state-maintained highways in the Kansas City area this evening to help with snow removal efforts.
The Unified Government here also has snow removal policies, online at https://www.wycokck.org/Street/Snow.aspx. The UG policy encourages residents to move vehicles off the street in order to help with snow plowing.
Residents also were advised by state emergency officials to keep cats and dogs inside in warmer temperatures.
Winter road conditions are accessible by dialing 5-1-1 from a mobile phone anywhere in Kansas; outside Kansas call 1-866-511-5368 (KDOT). Road conditions may also be viewed on the Kansas Department of Transportation web site at http://kandrive.org.
If you must travel, be sure your car’s gas tank is full and you have an emergency kit. Vehicle emergency kits should include blankets, flashlights, batteries, a cell phone charger, hand-warmers, high-energy food snacks, bottled water, necessary medications, a snow shovel, flares and other emergency supplies. Make sure your cell phone is charged and someone is aware of your itinerary, including expected time of arrival.
For a complete list of items for an emergency kit, go to www.ready.gov.