Junction City streets are snow packed in many locations and City Public Works Director Ray Ibarra reports that visibility is down to about one and a half blocks as crews work to try and keep up with the snow.
Blowing snow is part of the equation today.
Ibarra urged the public to not drive during this storm if possible.
Update:
KDOT reported that I-70 from Topeka west to K-177 in Geary County was closed on Sunday. Also, U.S. 77 from Riley to Milford was closed.
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I-70 westbound at the 295 exit continues to be closed while authorities continue to work a non-injury accident on I-7- west of Junction City another accident has been reported on K-18 west of the city. Emergency Manager Garry Berges said there has been one injury in that latter accident.
Berges also advised the public, “People need to stay off the road. There’s no reason to be out. Even our emergency responders, our fire and law enforcement can’t get very fast. We’re doing 15-20 mph and can’t get, visibility is down to just about nothing. It’s very dangerous even for us to be out here. So people need to stay off the road as much as possible. Wait until 2 or 3 o’clock when this clears up and let us and let the KDOT people and the public works people do their work.”
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Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges has announced that Interstate 70 is being closed westbound at the 295 exit at U.S. 77 on the southwest side of Junction City.
There has been a six vehicle non-injury accident about three miles west of that location, including a semi that has jackknifed. Traffic was backing up. Berges estimated the snow would be through Geary County in two to three hours.
Emergency reporting procedures:
Brad Clark Geary County Undersheriff
The Junction City Police Department via social media has asked people not to travel unless necessary. Slick road conditions and low visibility have been occurring due to the winter storm.
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The Police Department has implemented their emergency accident reporting procedures. They will not respond to general non-injury accidents but will respond to injury accidents, those where vehicles need to be towed, and those involving alcohol or drugs.
If you are involved in a non-injury general accident motorists should notify the JCPD and let them know where they are at, and then exchange information with any other motorist involved in the accident.
Law enforcement authorities have reported that there is zero visibility at 10 a.m. Sunday near mile post 292 west of Junction City on I-70 due to blowing snow.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Topeka KS
633 AM CST Sun Nov 25 2018
...Blizzard on Track to Impact the Region Today...
.A potent storm will track through the region today, spreading
into north-central Kansas and the rest of northeast and east central
Kansas through midday. Rain early on will quickly change over to snow
with snowfall rates of over an inch per hour possible at times.
Total snowfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches will be likely for areas north of a
line from Emporia to Lawrence with locally higher amounts possible. Lower
snowfall amounts of 2 to 6 inches are expected south of that line.
Strong winds of 40 to 50 mph, coupled with the heavy snow, will lead to blizzard
conditions along and north of the Emporia to Lawrence line. Even with lesser snow
totals expected south of that line, near blizzard conditions are possible.
If you choose to travel you will be in a very dangerous situation with slick roads
and whiteout conditions.
Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley-
Pottawatomie-Jackson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris-
Including the cities of Belleville, Washington, Hanover, Clifton,
Linn, Greenleaf, Marysville, Blue Rapids, Frankfort, Sabetha,
Seneca, Hiawatha, Horton, Concordia, Clay Center, Manhattan,
Wamego, St. Marys, Holton, Minneapolis, Bennington, Abilene,
Herington, Junction City, and Council Grove
633 AM CST Sun Nov 25 2018
...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING...
* WHAT...Blizzard conditions with total snow accumulations of 7
to 13 inches expected with locally higher amounts possible.
Winds gusting as high as 45 mph will lead to whiteout
conditions.
* WHERE...Portions of north central and northeast Kansas.
* WHEN...From 6 AM to 6 PM CST Sunday. The heaviest snow will
likely occur from the mid-morning to early afternoon hours.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel will be difficult if not
impossible at times. Areas of blowing snow could significantly
reduce visibility.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are
expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds
and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout
conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If
you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get
stranded, stay with your vehicle.
The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
It’s that time of year again! Time to spend your loved ones an overly-positive, possibly embellished, and definitely cherry-picked rundown of your year! Featuring a score written by Wichita Native Laura Bergquist, Not Another Christmas Letter! The Musical at Great Plains Theatre in Abilene finds the laughter and music within all of our holiday traditions.Here is a sampling of some of the float entries in the Christmas Parade in Junction City including the award winners amd the Fort Riley Middle School wrestling team. ( Photos courtesy of Phyllis Fitzgerald and Robert Shefelton ).
Santa Claus flipped the switch and the Christmas lights came on in Heritage Park at the end of the 23rd annual Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade.
There were 50 entries in the parade ranging from the Shriner’s mini-wheels to the the 1st Infantry Division Band and the Junction City High School marching band. But the highlight when Santa Claus arrived in a horse-drawn carriage, spoke to the crowd, and flipped the switch on a platform in Heritage Park to turn on the lights. Then children had a chance to meet with Santa in his house in the park where they could convey their Christmas wishes and pose for pictures.
Multiple awards were presented to entries in the parade. They included the Mayor’s Award to the Junction City Little Theater, The Youth Award to the Girl Scouts, the Chamber of Commerce Award to the Exchange Bank, Founders Award to Lyons Creek 4-h Club and the Geary County Commission Award to the FIlipino American entry.
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High
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61° | Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 60s. Southwest winds up to 5 mph shifting to the southeast in the afternoon. |
