Travel conditions will improve today (SUN) after a wet, sloppy snowfall Friday and Saturday.
Temperatures won’t move much — only up to around freezing — but that should help to remove some slick spots after major travel issues developed Friday night, leading to numerous non-injury crashes areawide and a fatality crash on the Kansas Turnpike near the Osage-Wabaunsee county line Friday evening.
Lyon County Deputy Jeff Rodriguez says road conditions are for the most part clear on all major and county highways Sunday. However, he still advises motorists to exercise caution as overnight refreezing may have created some hazards on the roadways.
62-year-old Bradley Horton of Topeka was northbound on the Kansas Turnpike but lost control at mile marker 155 just after 9 pm Friday. His pickup hit the center barrier wall.
Current snow totals:
*KVOE studios: 5.25 inches
*Ninth and Lawrence: 5 inches
*12th and Burns: 4 inches
*Allen: 5-6 inches
*Bushong: 6.5 inches
*Camp Alexander: 4.25-5 inches
*Cottonwood Falls: 4 inches
*Lebo: 5-6 inches
*Reading: 5.25 inches
*Waverly: 4 inches
*Between Admire and Reading: 6.5-7 inches
One major health concern this weekend will be falls. Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Eron Steinlage says people need to check their footing as they get into or out of vehicles and go up or downstairs.
Another major concern will be an increased risk of heart attacks as people shovel the heavy, wet snow. If you’re shoveling, you’re advised to use a smaller shovel because smaller loads will be easier on your body than heavier ones. Also, start slowly, take frequent breaks, drink lots of water to avoid dehydration and dress in layers to avoid both hypothermia or overheating.
Saturday also saw several power outages in Emporia, with over 100 Westar customers offline at some point, and several power and cable lines downed because the wet snow had accumulated on tree branches near the lines in question.
To report a schedule adjustment:
*Call KVOE at 342-1400
*Email kvoe@kvoe.com
*Post directly to KVOE’s Facebook or Twitter pages
Track road conditions by calling 511 or going online to www.kandrive.org. If you have snow reports or schedule adjustments, call KVOE at 342-1400, email kvoe@kvoe.com or post directly to KVOE’s Twitter and Facebook. If you have snow photos, email kvoe@kvoe.com, message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch Text Line at 620-342-5863 or post to KVOE’s Twitter and Facebook pages.
For a look back at our complete coverage of this weekend’s snowfall click here
