Local utilities and residents are bracing for the impacts that brutally cold air will likely have on their homes and utility equipment in the coming days.
Overnight temperatures Tuesday are expected to dip below zero with wind chills forecasted to be between -7 and -17 heading into Wednesday. Conditions won’t improve much there with highs forecasted in the low teens and wind chills -9 and -19 throughout the day.
As such, a cold weather advisory is in place for the entire listening area through noon Thursday. Given the brutal cold many residents will no doubt be running their heaters around the clock meaning extra strain on the local power grid as well as a potential hit to their pocketbooks.
With that in mind, KVOE News recently spoke with Kansas Gas Service Public Relations Manager Dawn Tripp who shared some helpful tips that’ll keep residents warm and their gas bills low.
Tripp also says it is important that residents avoid certain actions in their efforts to keep warm as they could pose a risk to their health and safety.
Local utility companies, such as Evergy, are bracing for potential power outages due to a combination of the biting cold and high demand. Evergy District Services Manager Rolland Trahoon II says low temperatures can have adverse effects on lines and equipment, however, they have made significant improvements on that front in recent years.
That said, Trahoon tells KVOE News you should “never say never” when it comes to the possibility of major outages as the result of accidents or incidents out of their control.
If you do experience an outage, you can call Evergy’s 800 number or report it through the Evergy app. Trahoon asks residents to be patient when it comes to restoration efforts if needed as their crews and equipment are just as vulnerable to the harsh conditions as anyone and anything.
Snowfall has been consistent since the overnight hours Tuesday and has led to just over 5 inches of accumulation at the KVOE studios as of 7 pm.
Additional totals include:
*Burns Street: 4 inches
*5 miles east-southeast of Emporia: 2 inches
*Council Grove: 0.5 inches
*Gridley: 2.2 inches
*4 miles east-southeast of Latimer: 1 inch
*3 miles east-northeast of Olivet: 3 inches
*1 mile east of Osage City: 1 inch
*6 miles southwest of Overbrook: 1 inch
*1 mile south-southeast of Wilsey: 1.5 inches
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for weather updates as warranted throughout the week.
10:30 am Tuesday: As Lyon County road crews continue plowing through snow drifts, ranchers do their best to handle calving season
Winter remains here in full force this week, with light snowfall, blustery winds and bone-chilling temperatures.
Crews for Emporia, Lyon County and the Kansas Department of Transportation are out clearing roads at this time, but streets and roads are still snow-covered. With wind gusts as high as 30 mph Tuesday and as high as 20-25 mph through Wednesday, County Engineer Chip Woods says crews will be out consistently until the wind subsides.
Snow totals:
*KVOE studios: 2 inches
*5 miles east-southeast of Emporia: 2 inches
*Council Grove: 0.5 inches
*Gridley: 2.2 inches
*4 miles east-southeast of Latimer: 1 inch
*3 miles east-northeast of Olivet: 3 inches
*1 mile east of Osage City: 1 inch
*6 miles southwest of Overbrook: 1 inch
*1 mile south-southeast of Wilsey: 1.5 inches
The worst weather of the season is typically when winter calving takes place — and guess what? It’s underway now. Lyon County rancher Brian Keith says it’s important to be prepared for the cold — and not stay out in it too long.
Fellow Lyon County rancher Scott Briggs says it’s vitally important to attend to heifer and calf as quickly as possible.
The cold is also hard on vehicles. John Ingold of Express Tire and Auto says there are a few things people can do to make life a bit easier, like checks of windshield wipers, batteries, fluids and tires.
Stuart Parker of Blackcreek Diesel and Auto says the cold will definitely affect motors, whether the fuel is regular gas or diesel.
Numerous schedule adjustments have been announced. Click here for the latest list.
Warming center locations are also in effect until further notice. Click here for the latest list.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates on weather, travel and schedule adjustments. If you have schedule adjustments to add to our list, call KVOE at 620-342-1400, message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
6 am Tuesday: Dangerous travel conditions underway with snowfall, gusty winds, wind chills under -10
If you don’t have to travel Tuesday, don’t.
Weather conditions began deteriorating Monday night as light snowfall began combining with gusty northeast winds up to 30 mph and falling air temperatures to make for dangerous travel conditions across Kansas. Here’s TV-13 meteorologist Doug Meyers:
Regardless of where you go, roads are snow-covered. Crews for Emporia, Lyon County and the Kansas Department of Transportation are out clearing roads at this time. Lyon County Sgt. Danny Broyles urges people not to go out unless absolutely necessary.
Emporia Police has announced Level 2 crash reporting is now in effect until further notice. This is where people involved in non-injury crashes can exchange information on site and report to Police Department headquarters at their earliest convenience.
Several local charitable groups expect a busy week. Josh Graves says both the Emporia Rescue Mission and Shiloh House are full, but he also says help is still available through both entities. This also comes as Abundant Harvest is expanding one of its core services later this week.
Vehicles, especially vehicle motors, can have a range of issues when it’s this cold outside. Beth Wilson of Thurston’s Plus Autobody and Automotive says there are some common-sense tips to reduce your headaches, including a full tank of gas and proper windshield wiper fluid. When it comes to batteries, however…
Local plumbing businesses are expecting a heavy workload in the coming days, but not with the biting cold, rather once it leaves the area according to David Daines of First Choice Plumbing.
With that in mind, Lenny Spellman of Plumbing By Spellman says there is plenty that residents can do ahead of the incoming winter storm to make sure they won’t need a visit later in the week.
Hardware stores are stocked up on winter-related equipment. If you need new or replacement winter clothing, Sutherlands Manager Jason Miller says you can find what you need — but at this time of year, once it’s gone — it’s gone.
Numerous schedule adjustments have been announced. Click here for the latest list.
Warming center locations are also in effect until further notice. Click here for the latest list.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates on weather, travel and schedule adjustments. If you have schedule adjustments to add to our list, call KVOE at 620-342-1400, message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863 or email kvoe@kvoe.com.
