IMPORTANT: City of Emporia releases emergency weather plans
Special to the Gazette
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The National Weather Service is forecasting a dangerous snow event over the next 48 hours in the City of Emporia and Lyon County. Snow totals of 6-12” with 30-40 mph winds are possible. The primary snowfall and winds are expected to start in the middle of Tuesday morning. The City of Emporia is asking residents to please stock up on food, water and medicines tonight to avoid the risk of not being able to obtain these needed services on Tuesday or Wednesday. The City also wants to remind residents to monitor the local media to hear if an emergency has been declared. In the event of an emergency declaration, residents are asked to not drive unless it is an emergency. Call 9-1-1 for police, fire and medical emergencies ONLY. City non-emergency calls should be directed to 343-4200. Non-emergency calls from County residents can be made to 342-5545. The City has made special arrangements for police, fire and ambulance services to be available, although delays may occur.
If an emergency is declared, drivers should stay off of the road until the streets have been cleared. Vehicles that get stuck cause problems for emergency vehicles and snow plows and can be dangerous to both their vehicles and the emergency responders. Vehicles that are stuck on arterial roadways, such as Hwy. 50, Hwy. 99 and 12th St., are subject to being towed at the owner’s expense. The City will not remove vehicles that become stuck on local streets unless they are blocking traffic. These vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. Residents are asked NOT to call 9-1-1 unless it is a medical or safety emergency and should not call if their vehicle is stuck.
The City and County remind residents to contact their electric and telephone providers in the event of an emergency. Citizens with Westar Electric can call 800-544-4857. Other local providers can be found in the phone book.
TeamKansas (anonymous) says...
"If an emergency is declared, drivers should stay off of the road until the streets have been cleared" ..... Lol now that's funny
January 31, 2011 at 7:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
"If an emergency is declared, drivers should stay off of the road until the streets have been cleared"
Does that apply to all employees of the local news media (Gazette, KVOE, etc.) coming/going to work or going somewhere to cover a story?
January 31, 2011 at 7:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
That really, really, is funny !
I hope everyone has laid plenty of supplys, as it may be weeks before the City clears any streets and does anyone want to bet, as to where they will start first !!!
And yet the property owner will be expected to have his sidewalk cleared within 5 hours or possibly be fined !!
January 31, 2011 at 7:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Since when do they plow? Best joke I have heard in a while LOL
January 31, 2011 at 7:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Money says commish will have crews out plowing like crazy to prove what a great job they are doing
January 31, 2011 at 7:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
"The City of Emporia is asking residents to please stock up on food, water and medicines tonight...."
I predict that Walmart just got really busy!!!
January 31, 2011 at 7:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
They were plenty empty earler today. Already been hit hard
January 31, 2011 at 7:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
i just don't understand all this angst.
WE LIVE IN KANSAS !
It is going to snow once in a while, gosh we even have tornadoes in the summer.
If we lived in Wisconsin, we should expect great snow removal, but we live in Kansas where the snow is not so nasty, really. The city only has so much money you know? let the stuff melt!
If a bad winter storm hits, stay at home.
If you can't stay at home, be prepared when you go out. Learn how to drive in snow and ice, and for God's sake stay off the cell phones when you are driving.
It is winter, you should have a few days worth of food stuffs in your house.
If you don't , eat less! Have blankets candles, flashlights ready in case of power outages. If the power stays out call your church for instructions on if they are providing shelter, or who is.
We really have become a bunch of woosies! If people acted like us a hundred years ago, none of us we be here right now.
BUCK UP PEOPLE !
January 31, 2011 at 8:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowereastside (anonymous) says...
Booker5, I'll book the bet that there will be NO SNOW PLOWS, Emporias' theory is God put it there he can take it away, unless you live on the West side and then your streets will be squeeky clean.
January 31, 2011 at 8:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
HENRY!!!!!
You'd better get to the liquor store and stock up!! I'd hate for you to have to go a day without because the weather made you. You know how conservative the weather is. After all, it lets God dictate it. :-p
January 31, 2011 at 8:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doubt_it (anonymous) says...
I'm with Steve on this one. Common sense will prevail. I'm sure only the major roads will be plowed.
If you don't know how to drive in it, stay home. Quit worrying about which side of town gets plowed first or not at all.
Let's just help each other thru this winter storm. Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly, to make sure they are ok.
Hope everyone stays warm and safe.
January 31, 2011 at 8:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mds (anonymous) says...
ARTERIAL STREETS
HIGHWAY 50
12TH AVENUE FROM BURLINGAME ROAD TO GRAPHIC ARTS ROAD
SOUTH AVENUE FROM COMMERCIAL STREET TO PRAIRIE STREET
HIGHWAY 99
PRAIRIE STREET FROM SOUTH AVENUE TO HIGHWAY 50
WEAVER STREET FROM LOGAN AVENUE TO HIGHWAY 50
INDUSTRIAL ROAD FROM HIGHWAY 50 TO 24TH AVENUE
AMERICUS ROAD
January 31, 2011 at 9:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
oh4theluvof,
Thanks! I'm all set.
'enry
January 31, 2011 at 9:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KelseyLutz (anonymous) says...
Don't forget about your pets! Make sure if they live outside they have adequate access to shelter, food, and unfrozen water. And remember that some types of ice melt can chemically burn your pet's paw pads.
January 31, 2011 at 9:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
See, this is great. You have Henry and oh4theluvof working together to help each other make it through this disaster. And people say were are a bunch of negative Nellie's
January 31, 2011 at 9:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
DEAN SAYS LET IT SNOW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN7LW0...
January 31, 2011 at 9:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
buschlight51 (anonymous) says...
I agree with Steve..We need to do our part as well..The streets have been a major problem for years.But I do think they do their best with what the resources they have..I live on the west side and our street doesnt get plowed! We need to take care of ourselves for a change! I see parents complaining all the time about The Schools not closing for Their Childrens safety But it doesnt stop them from driving to the North Praire Bride and take them sledding..Come On People!
January 31, 2011 at 9:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flyboy32 (anonymous) says...
So some of you want to spend $50k to clear snow that will probably melt in a week? Just asking...
January 31, 2011 at 9:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
storyofmylife59 (anonymous) says...
I find it rather rude that some of you are complaining about the roads not being cleaned enough! Those men work their tails off, they work with what they have. There are only about 4 men that are either qualified or at least willing to give up their nights to make sure the roads are cleaned or atleast get treated for bad weather. And to the ones that are complaining, I would love to see you all out there plowing these roads to perfection, as you obviously think it should be!! There are many days during the winter and some summer that they are awake for more then 24 hours working hard for people like you to sit at home and moan and groan about the job they are working so hard for. No, not all the roads get cleaned, but they work on the main roads that people travel on. But they are working hard!
January 31, 2011 at 10:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
apierich (anonymous) says...
Part of what needs to happen is parents need to teach their kids to drive on ice and snow before they send them off to college with a car. I do know we get kids from places where they don't often have ice and snow on the road that will have to deal with it here. I can't count the number of times I have been driving on the side roads in Emporia with ice and snow, on my side of the road, going an appropriately slow speed, breaking early and even tapping my brakes, no music or any noise in the car so I can focus, only to have a young college student driving the speed limit or faster coming right down the middle of the road at me with a frantic look on their face, forcing me to pull to the side when I can find a spot, just so that they can pass me. The way we did it back west growing up was load the vehicle down with weight and either on a day that school was out or after school if the roads were icy or snowy, the parents would get the kid in the car, take the passenger seat, and talk their kids through it on less traveled roads. We did the same with excessive rain and teaching how to deal with hydroplaning. Practice makes perfect or at least sufficient in cases they need to be.
January 31, 2011 at 10:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
"If an emergency is declared, drivers should stay off of the road until the streets have been cleared."
Does this include bicycle traffic? ;-)
Matt
February 1, 2011 at 1:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid...
February 1, 2011 at 1:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marko (anonymous) says...
If yer bike gets stuck in a snow plow path they may not even tow it... just say'n.
February 1, 2011 at 4:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
We've been very lucky so far with precipitation. I hope people don't get sassy and carefree. It's still very slick and it isn't over yet.
My neighborhood lost power last night for a couple of hours. Some areas of Emporia are still without power. I hope they can stay warm.
It's a good time to review what to do if power goes out and you don't have a fireplace.
Don't forget, if you have small children or elders, and the power goes out, be sure they wear a hat.
Here come the wisecracks.
February 1, 2011 at 6:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
There's more than 4 guys that know how to plow the roads.
My father had to give up Christmas with us last year because the city made him go out and do the roads.
Didn't tell him to do it this year though.
February 1, 2011 at 6:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Power out? No fireplace? Wanna stay warm?
http://www.accentshopping.com/product...
February 1, 2011 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Boom (anonymous) says...
who cares, when was the last time someone listened to the emergency weather plans????
February 1, 2011 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
onevoice (anonymous) says...
Stay off the streets unless you are the poor little paper boy or girl!
February 1, 2011 at 11:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sunflowergirl82 (anonymous) says...
I think we need to buy some more giant linestone rocks instead of plowing or salting the streets.
February 1, 2011 at 2:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
But REWBA, I'd have to go OUTSIDE to use that portable furnace you posted. Ummmmmm......
February 1, 2011 at 3:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
No create, It doesn't need to be vented. I use one in my workshop and have a carbon monoxide monitor and have never had any problems. If my power went out and I didn't have any firewood, I would set one up to keep the house warm.
February 1, 2011 at 3:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tubaguyry (anonymous) says...
flyboy32 said:
"So some of you want to spend $50k to clear snow that will probably melt in a week? Just asking..."
Yes, I do want my street to be cleared. This city thought it would be a keen idea to waste a bunch of money to needlessly slop some asphalt onto my street last year. I'd much rather they'd saved that money to get a plow on this street ONCE in a while.
storyofmylife59 said:
"I find it rather rude that some of you are complaining about the roads not being cleaned enough! Those men work their tails off, they work with what they have."
I'm not upset with the workers. I'm upset with the fact that this city think's it's a good idea to spend $100,000 on ANOTHER rocky eyesore (I wonder what that hideous abomination at 6th and Industrial cost?), but can't be bothered to fund the clearing of our streets in a blizzard.
February 1, 2011 at 4:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tubaguyry (anonymous) says...
Oops, I mistyped in my previous post. Please ignore the fact that I typed "think's," and know that it should have been "thinks."
Thanks!
February 1, 2011 at 4:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
apierich (anonymous) says...
Another way to keep warm in this weather is what my parents do. They hold up in their room with a bunch of candles burning. The amount of heat given off by a few votives in a closed room is a lot more than one would think. With my kids being so young I try to keep everyone in one room as much as possible and have even put blankets or shower curtains up at doorways then light a few candles for heat and light up on the highest furniture I have, making sure there is nothing close to them or over them so they don't pose a fire risk. It takes some thinking ahead, but a bag of 100 votives costs about a dollar a piece. I keep several bags in my emergency supplies. Also, make sure your warmer winter clothes are cleaned when you hear of a storm approaching. I have also been known to go to elderly family members and friends houses and make sure that their warmer clothes are cleaned and easily accessible. Just remember you want to stay warm but if you are moving around and sweating you want to take off a layer because you are more likely to freeze if you have moisture close to the body when the temperatures drop. If you have little kids, let this be a time for dressup because as long as they are warm and you are stuck at home anyway who cares what it looks like?
February 1, 2011 at 6:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justanotherperson (anonymous) says...
I have to LOL at this, because today I was driving (I had to) and got stuck...IN FRONT OF THE LYON COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE. I thought, how appropriate...stuck in the street in foot deep snow in front of and off to the side of government buildings. But...they were busy clearing the walks around WLW auditorium, per the five hour rule.
February 1, 2011 at 7:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
storyofmylife59 (anonymous) says...
tubaguyry,
I totally agree!! I think the city needs to spend the money on things different from the monuments. It is a total waste of money if you ask me.
ToxicPink
I was making an example because there might be more then 4 men but there still isnt enough. But they have to work with what they have. My father works for the city also, and he was absent from christmas that year also because of the weather. :( I was moreless mentioning that those men needs more respect. Because they are working hard, and working with what they have.
February 1, 2011 at 7:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shellomimi (anonymous) says...
I hear they have a guy holed up in the sherriffs office watching for the last snowflake to drop and then he is suppose to mark the time and start the 5 hour countdown. ;)). Stay warm and be careful out there folks!!
February 1, 2011 at 8:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tubaguyry (anonymous) says...
I'm speechless -- they scraped my street today! I guess there's some hope for this place after all!
Now to go shovel my car out of the mountain of snow left over from the street scraping. (But I don't mind)!
February 2, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Considering the amount of snow that fell I have to tip my ball cap to the city employees removing the snow. Watched them last night while outside the bar, smoking, and it was very well choreographed. Way to go Munch ! I also noticed better snow removal all over town.
All in all I think the city workers have done a great job the last 3 days.
February 3, 2011 at 7:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )