NC Kansas News

A Snow and Parking Emergency has been declared in Kansas City, Kansas, effective 10 PM Wednesday, December 21, 2022. The Declaration is in effect until 11:59 PM Friday, December 23, 2022, unless extended. Unified Government Ordinance Section 35-648 permits the Public Works Director to declare a Snow and/or Parking Emergency.

During a Snow Emergency:

• No person shall drive a motor vehicle that doesn’t have tire chains, snow tires, or radial tires in a way that will cause the vehicle to get stalled due to its lack of snow equipment.
• Vehicles that become stalled on public roadways may be ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense.
• No vehicles shall be parked on any streets designated as snow routes by appropriate signs. Vehicles parked on designated snow routes must be removed within two hours after 10 PM, December 21, 2022.
• Vehicles parked on designated snow routes may be towed at the owner’s expense.

The last Snow Emergency Declared in Kansas City, Kansas, was November 25, 2018.

“The Snow Emergency is meant to increase safety for motorists, pedestrians, and plow drivers,” said Dave Reno, Public Works’ Public Information Officer. 

“Extremely low temperatures and high winds will make this storm especially challenging and dangerous for everyone. The public is strongly encouraged to remain home during this storm. Regular updates about winter weather operations will be posted on the Unified Government's website and social media over the next several days.

"The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm and Wind Chill Warnings for Wyandotte County. Temperatures will hover around freezing on December 21. Snow (2”-4”) and strong winds are expected to develop across the area tonight into Thursday, December 22, creating near-blizzard conditions.

Extremely low temperatures and gusting winds make this storm especially challenging and dangerous. Salt treatments, including magnesium chloride, are exponentially less effective when temperatures fall below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning local roads risk becoming extremely slick. When coupled with the potential for blizzard-like conditions, Public Work has reason to believe this storm poses an uncommon safety hazard for the public and snowplow drivers.

If you must travel, please remember to slow down, drive with extreme caution, and give teams plenty of room to work safely. 

To learn more about winter weather operations, view frequently asked questions, and read Public Works’ Snow & Ice Removal policy, visit wycokck.org/Snow.

To report service issues, dial 3-1-1 or visit mywyco.wycokck.org.

Original source can be found here.