Blowing Snow, Slick Spots Create Problems on Area Highways
12/20/2012

(KNZA/AP)--Blowing snow and slick spots have made driving difficult along U.S. 36 in northeast Kansas.

 A short portion of the highway from Wathena east to the Missouri border was closed Thursday morning because motorists were sliding off the road. But the Kansas Department of Transportation reported that by mid-morning, all roads in northeast Kansas were open.

All Star Travel Plaza employee Joetta Wagoner says she slid off the highway twice early Thursday, trying to get to work at the truck stop at the junction of U.S. 36 and U.S. 73 in Hiawatha. She was coming in because two managers couldn't get in.

 She said only a couple of inches of snow fell, but wind created white-out conditions, preventing people from seeing anything. 

 Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is reporting numerous slide offs throughout the county. 

During the morning, Merchant says such incidents occurred in numerous locations along U.S. Highway 75.  Various areas of of U.S. Highway 73 incurred slide-offs, as did K-20, and 330th Road, as well as 290th Road near Sabetha. 

Merchant says despite an estimated two dozen plus slide-offs, no injuries have been reported. 

He continues to urge motorists to avoid travel, unless needed, as some of the morning slide-offs were motorists simply wanting to see the conditions, with no particular destination for their travels. 

If driving, Merchant says to take it slow and allow extra time along the slick roadways. 

 

 


     

 


© Associated Press and Brian Hagen

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