Freezing rain and snow haven’t started yet, but area law enforcement agencies are reminding drivers that travel is not at all recommended either Saturday or Sunday.
The Emporia Police Department says Leve 2 crash reporting begins at 6 am Saturday and will remain in place until conditions improve. In Level 2 reporting, officers do not respond to crashes unless roads are blocked or people are hurt. People involved in crashes need to exchange insurance information with other drivers involved, along with vehicle make, model and tag number. People in crashes also need to report wrecks at Emporia Police headquarters once it is safe to travel.
Also, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office is urging people to limit travel to urgent matters only. While on the road, drivers are told to go slow, allow extra stopping distance and have a stocked emergency kit.
Drivers who get stuck need to call Lyon County Emergency Communications at 620-343-4225, but they are advised response times will be longer than normal. Vehicles that are not traffic hazards will not get towed until the weather improves. Deputies will either wait for rides to pick up people who have crashed or will take people to warm places for pickups later.
Between 0.25-0.50 inches of icing are expected Saturday before changing gradually to all snow early Sunday. Snow amounts could be between 5-9 inches south to north across the KVOE listening area by late Sunday night.
6:30 pm Friday: Local retailers seeing increased foot traffic as residents prepare for incoming winter storm system
Several local retailers are reporting an uptick in customers in recent days as residents have been flying through their doors to stock up on essential items ahead of the incoming winter storm system set to impact the Central Plains over the coming weekend.
This includes Waters Hardware where propane has been the big ticket item according to Rental Supervisor Nick Windel.
At Sutherlands, Supervisor Eric Lord says residents have been stocking up on items to insulate their utilities, piping and homes overall. He says he is encouraging residents to take precautions not only while they are home but while they are not as well.
The increase in traffic has also spread, unsurprisingly, to local grocery stores including Good’s Cash Saver where manager James Miller says residents have been picking up all the winter weather essentials from foods to ice melt.
While local residents have been hard at work preparing for the first winter storm of the season, so have local utility companies which are anticipating the possibility of widespread and longterm power outages. Evergy Director of Corporate Communications Gina Penzig says if outages were to develop they anticipate it will occur across their entire coverage area and some could last more than a single day.
Penzig explains how the utility tends to respond to such situations.
With the possibility of being powerless for days at a time in mind, Penzig reminded residents they need to be prepared and have emergency kits on hand to keep themselves warm throughout the duration of the storm and potential outages. She also says individuals can stay updated on outages and restoration efforts by using the Evergy mobile app which is available for download in both the Apple App and Google Play stores.
If you have not signed up for KVOE social media alerts, go to Facebook@kvoenews, Instagram@kvoenews, YouTube@kvoenews and X@kvoeam1400. If you need to announce a schedule adjustment for your business, church or nonprofit, call KVOE at 620-342-1400, message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
3:30 pm Friday: WEATHER: Winter storm watches upgraded to warnings for entire KVOE listening area
The National Weather Service has upgraded the winter storm watches, in place for the entire KVOE listening area since Thursday, to warnings.
NWS issued the update Friday afternoon with the warnings going from 9 am Saturday to midnight Sunday for Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties and from 6 am Saturday to 3 pm Sunday for Chase and Greenwood counties. The current forecast calls for up to 0.25 inches of ice and at least 5-9 inches of snowfall.
Below zero windchills are also expected at times through the upcoming weekend into next week. With that in mind, several locations across Emporia are now acting as warming centers. The list can be found below.
The Emporia Police Department announced Friday that effective 6 am Saturday it will be going into level 2 accident reporting procedures due to the impending weather. This means drivers in non-injury crashes can exchange insurance information and then report the wreck to the Lyon County Emergency Communications non-emergency number at 620-343-4225 once the storm clears.
If you have not signed up for KVOE social media alerts, go to Facebook@kvoenews, Instagram@kvoenews, YouTube@kvoenews and X@kvoeam1400. If you need to announce a schedule adjustment for your business, church or nonprofit, call KVOE at 620-342-1400, message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
WEATHER: Local entities brace for winter’s potential impact this weekend
Freezing precipitation, snow, bad visibility and bitter cold are all part of the weather forecast this upcoming weekend into next week.
The current forecast calls for up to 0.40 inches of ice and at least 4-9 inches of snowfall south to north. Winter storm watches begin at 9 am Saturday areawide and continue to 6 pm Sunday or midnight Monday morning, depending on the county.
The combination of different wintry precipitation, coupled with northerly wind gusts as high as 40-50 mph, will make driving extremely hazardous. Lyon County Assistant Engineer Jim Brull says the icing poses obvious concerns for drivers, including those in the Highway Department.
For LCAT Director Shane Brunner, it’s time to wait and see whether route and schedule adjustments are needed Saturday.
Several locations across Emporia are now warming centers with wind chills at or below zero expected at times this weekend through much of next week. The list can be found below.
If you have not signed up for KVOE social media alerts, go to Facebook@kvoenews, Instagram@kvoenews, YouTube@kvoenews and X@kvoeam1400. If you need to announce a schedule adjustment for your business, church or nonprofit, call KVOE at 620-342-1400, message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
5 am Friday: Updated weekend forecast calls for up to 0.25 inches of icing, 2-5 inches of snow, gusts to 50 mph
Regardless of how much accumulation we see this weekend, travel will likely be extremely hazardous across the KVOE listening area, much of Kansas and several Plains states.
Thanks to the prospect of up to 0.25 inches of icing, 2-5 inches of snowfall and wind gusts of 25-50 mph, winter storm watches are poised to launch at 9 am Saturday areawide and continue to 6 pm Sunday or midnight Monday morning, depending on the county. TV-13 meteorologist Doug Meyers says it’s best not to delay if you need supplies.
Emporia Public Works Director Dean Grant says there are blowing and drifting concerns in the city limits.
If you travel and you crash or get stuck, Lyon County Emergency Management Director Jarrod Fell says you may be stuck for a while.
Power outages are possible, given the combination of freezing rain and high wind. In addition to its regular winter prep work, Evergy says it will have extra staffing this weekend to handle anything that develops, although outage response times could well be affected by the weather conditions. And 4 Rivers Electric CEO Dennis Svanes says winter prep has been underway for weeks.
Meanwhile, concerns about bitterly cold conditions for most of next week have prompted a number of locations to open their doors for those needing warmth, at least for short periods of time.
The Emporia Police Department’s entryway will be open 24-7 as needed with this incoming weather pattern. This is a slight change from the normal location, but only because the lobby is closed due to construction.
Also, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office lobby will be open on a 24-7 basis until conditions improve.
Pets are welcome at both locations if they are controlled by their owners.
Several other locations have announced they will serve as warming centers:
*Emporia Public Library, 110 East Sixth. Hours are 9 am-6 pm Monday-Friday and 1-5 pm Saturday and Sunday.
*First Congregational Church, 326 West 12th. Hours are 9 am-noon Monday-Friday. Pets are welcome if controlled.
*First United Methodist Church, 823 Merchant. Hours are 8 am-5 pm Monday-Friday, barring unforeseen circumstances. Pets are not allowed.
*Twelfth Avenue Baptist Church, 2023 West 12th. Hours are 9 am-5 pm Monday-Friday, depending on regularly-scheduled events. Pets are not allowed.
People wanting to add their locations to the city’s list can email City Communications Manager Christine Torrens, ctorrens@emporiaks.gov.
Also, the city’s plan for the Jan. 8 ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the new skate park at Whittier Park has been postponed due to the expected cold weather. A reschedule date has not been announced. The facility is now open for use.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. If you have not signed up for KVOE social media alerts, go to Facebook@kvoenews, Instagram@kvoenews, YouTube@kvoenews and X@kvoeam1400. More information is also available at ready.gov.
