Bitter cold temperatures are sticking around at least through the early half of this week, and as such Kansans are being urged to conserve natural resources.
Sunday afternoon, Governor Laura Kelly declared a state of disaster emergency due to the bitter temperatures and dangerously low wind chills that have impacted the state since late last week. The declaration authorizes the use of state resources and personnel to assist with response and recovery operations in affected counties that meet necessary criteria.
Not only has the recent weather impacted travel conditions and forced residents to remain in doors the majority of the weekend, it has also led to an increased energy demand across the state. As such, the Governor is urging residents to monitor and moderate their energy use.
According to a news release from the Governor’s Office Sunday, utilities are experiencing wholesale natural gas prices “10 to 100 times higher than normal” with those costs likely to trickle down to customers at some point in the future. To help keep these costs down residents are encouraged to reduce their natural gas and electric usage at this time.
Some helpful tips to accomplish this goal include:
* Wear additional layers of clothing when possible and turning down your thermostat
* Seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors to stop air leaks and prevent energy loss.
* Set the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or put it on the “warm” setting. If your home will be vacant for two days or more, set the dial to the pilot position for even more savings.
* Close blinds and curtains
* Change or clean filters
* Hold off on doing chores.
* Install foam gaskets on electrical switches and outlets.
The announcement comes following moderate to light snowfall throughout the day Sunday. Road conditions remain in rough shape with all roads in Emporia completely covered and slick. Most area highways are partially covered with occasional slick spots. Kansas Highway 99 remains completely covered.
Visit Kandrive.org for updates on driving conditions across the state.
Weather advisories continue across the KVOE listening area. A winter weather advisory is in effect for Lyon, Coffey and Osage counties until noon Monday. A separate advisory also goes until noon for Morris and Wabaunsee counties.
Chase County is in a winter weather advisory also until noon Monday. A winter storm warning is in effect for Greenwood County until noon Monday.
A wind Chill warning for Lyon, Coffey and Osage counties until noon Tuesday as are separate warnings for Chase, Greenwood, Morris and Wabaunsee counties.
With bitter cold and wintry weather expected to continue through the early portion of the work week several schedule adjustments have been announced already. To view KVOE’s closings and cancellations page click here.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more updates as they become available.
2:30 pm Sunday: Driving conditions worsening as snowfall continues; Winter storm warning issued for Greenwood County
The effects of continuous snowfall throughout the day Sunday is being felt on area roadways.
Moderate to light snowfall through the morning hours has left the majority of area highways partially to fully covered Sunday. Snowfall took a brief break in Emporia around 12:30 pm before recommencing just an hour later.
The Kansas Turnpike and Interstate 35 between mile marker 127 and Kansas Highway 130 remain partially covered with seasonal driving conditions.
I-35 between Us Highway 50, 9 miles north of Emporia, and Kansas Highway 68 is completely covered with blowing snow causing limited visibility. Kansas Highway 99, US Highway 50 and all other area highways are completely snow-covered and slick.
In Emporia, all roadways are completely covered and slick. If you can avoid travel it is recommended you do.
City Public Works crews will be plowing and treating roadways throughout the day Sunday into Monday. Crews will spot treat as needed according to Public Works Director Dean Grant.
Visit www.Kandrive.org to check road conditions.
Overnight lows below zero and windchills between -15 and -30 will likely continue to impact travel conditions through the overnight hours into Monday morning. Residents are encouraged to avoid travel if at possible. If you must be out on roadways please allow extra time to reach your destination and have an emergency kit with you in the event of an accident or your vehicle malfunctions.
Emergency reporting procedures are in place for the city of Emporia. This means if you are in a non-injury accident you are asked not to call the emergency communications line. Instead please gather necessary information and file a report with the Emporia Police Department at your earliest convenience.
Winter weather is far from over in the listening are heading into the workweek as the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Greenwood County until noon Monday. Snow accumulations of 5-7 inches are possible with this storm system.
The warning comes on top of several other advisories in place across the entire KVOE listening for the majority of the weekend. A wind chill warning is in effect for Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties until noon Tuesday.
A winter weather advisory is in effect until 6 am Monday for Chase and Greenwood counties. A wind chill advisory goes from 6 pm Sunday until noon Tuesday.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates as they become available.
11 am Sunday: WEATHER: Wintry weather negatively impacting travel conditions across listening area
Driving conditions are quickly deteriorating across the KVOE listening area as freezing temperatures and moderate snowfall continue Sunday.
A mix of freezing precipitation and light snowfall began just before sunrise Sunday morning, eventually, transitioning to moderate fluffy snow shortly before 8 am. Snow totals as of 10:30 am:
*KVOE Studios: 0.90 inches
If you have snow totals to report please call KVOE at 342-5863, Email KVOE@KVOE.com, message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch Text Line, Facebook @KVOENews or Twitter @KVOE1400AM.
In Emporia all roadways — major arterials, residential collectors and side streets — are completely covered and slick. The Kansas Turnpike is partially covered with seasonal driving conditions as is Interstate 35 between mile marker 127 and Kansas Highway 130.
I-35 between Us Highway 50, 9 miles north of Emporia, and Kansas Highway 68 is completely covered with blowing snow causing limited visibility. Kansas Highway 99, US Highway 50 and all other area highways are completely snow-covered and slick.
Visit www.Kandrive.org to check road conditions.
KDOT and Lyon County Road and Bridge crews are out treating roads at this time.
City Works crews plan to plow and treat roadways once snowfall ceases. Crews will spot treat as begin to slicken according to Public Works Director Dean Grant.
With overnight lows below zero and wind chills as low as -30 several weather-related advisories are in effect for the entire KVOE listening area through the upcoming week.
A winter weather advisory is in effect for Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties until 6 am Monday. A wind chill advisory for the same area goes until 6 pm this evening at which time a wind chill warning will take its place from 6 pm Sunday to noon Tuesday. A separate winter weather advisory is in effect until 6 am Monday for Chase and Greenwood counties. A wind chill advisory goes from 6 pm Sunday until noon Tuesday.
Schedule adjustments are aplenty due to the inclimate weather through Wednesday. Click here for KVOE’s Closings and Cancellations page.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates as the bitter conditions continue.
7 am Sunday:
Snowfall, bitter temperatures and biting winds are all underway in the KVOE listening area.
A combination of snow and freezing precipitation began just before sunrise in the KVOE listening area Sunday eventually giving way to powdery moderate snowfall just before 8 am. Though blizzard-like conditions are unlikely, low visibility is a concern due to winds as high as 25 mph.
The advice is for residents to stay home if at all possible, however, if you do have to travel you are advised to take your time and go slow.
In terms of road conditions:
Emporia is experiencing seasonal conditions with all roadways — major arterials, residential collectors and side streets — mostly to partly covered and slick. Most major highways, including the Kansas Turnpike and Interstate 35 are partially covered as of 7 am.
US Highway 50 from the Chase to Lyon County line is completely covered and slick. Blowing snow is impacting visibility.
To view current road conditions visit Kandrive.org.
Wind chills will be dangerously low Sunday with wind chills as low as -35 possible.
Several weather-related advisories are underway through the upcoming work week. A winter weather advisory is in effect for Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties until 6 am Monday. A wind chill advisory for the same area goes until 6 pm this evening at which time a wind chill warning will take its place from 6 pm Sunday to noon Tuesday.
A separate winter weather advisory is in effect until 6 am Monday for Chase and Greenwood counties. A wind chill advisory goes from 6 pm Sunday until noon Tuesday.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates as this bitter cold weather continues.
