Surprise snowstorm hits Marion County
Staff writer
A "sneak attack" snowstorm Thursday dumped between one to six inches of snow in the Marion County area causing numerous accidents including a truck-train collision and another that left the city of Florence without heat for several hours.
Snow flurries began falling in Marion around noon. Throughout the afternoon, snow fall varied in intensity from near white-out conditions to flurries, tapering off by early evening.
One-inch of snow was reported at Marion Reservoir, according to the local corps of engineers office. Florence reported four-inches of snow, Peabody had three-inches, and Hillsboro reported one, according to the National Weather Service in Wichita.
The snowstorm blanketed the Wichita area and moved northeast across the state tracking up the Kansas Turnpike, according to meteorologists.
The storm was a surprise to citizens and meteorologists alike. The forecast for the day after Christmas was for mostly cloudy skies.
"It kind of surprised us. The forecast the day before called for nothing," said meteorologist Bruce Wightman with the NWS in Wichita.
The quick-moving storm massed in the Rocky Mountains, gathered available moisture from earlier snowfalls in the southern parts of the state, and quickly moved across the plains into Kansas.
"It was actually hidden in the Rockies," Wightman said. "There's not a lot of reporting stations out in that area."
The snowfall quickly accumulated in Marion County causing slick roadways. Road crews with the Kansas Department of Transportation were out de-icing, sanding and cleaning road surfaces.
"We forget how to drive on snow," said Marion County Sheriff Lee Becker. "if it snows during the evening, we slow down and take it easy. If it happens during the day while we're at work, we keep on going like the roads are clear."
Becker said drivers expect roads to be clear and do not take the proper precautions — like slowing down.
"Even though KDOT may be out salting and sanding there can be spots that are missed, or where it re-ices to form black ice — which is really dangerous," Becker said. "Drivers need to have a healthy respect for road conditions.
The icy road conditions caused a semi tractor-trailer to leave the roadway, and hit a gas line which left the city of Florence without natural gas.
A KW semi tractor-trailer driven by Raleigh Eugene Dickey, 66, Derby, was traveling northbound on U.S. 77 and met an oncoming southbound vehicle which was sliding on the icy roadway.
Dickey slowed to avoid striking the other vehicle, slid and went into the east ditch and overturned coming to rest on a gas line owned by Atmos Energy, Herington. The driver was injured, but refused medical treatment from Florence Ambulance, according to a report by Marion County Undersheriff Randy Brazil. The accident occurred at 3:13 p.m.
"At the time of the accident, weather conditions were very poor," Brazil said. "The car was sliding sideways. The semi driver slowed to avoid the white passenger car and ended up sliding off the road.
"The other vehicle never stopped," Brazil said.
Markley's Service removed the semi off the gas line so Atmos representatives could repair it. Natural gas service to the city of Florence was restored sometime during the night (see separate story).
Traffic was backed up for approximately one mile for a time following the accident, said Sheriff Becker. Brazil and other officers were at the scene until around 10:30 p.m.
Just a couple minutes later at 3:15 p.m., a Florence man escaped injury following a collision with a train.
Orvill Vannocker, Florence, was driving a vehicle on Wagon Wheel south of U.S. 50 when he approached a railroad track. Seeing the train, he applied the brakes, but was unable to stop due to icy road conditions, and the vehicle slid into the path of a Burlington Northern-Santa Fe locomotive, Becker said.
The front and left side of the truck was damaged.
County dispatchers received numerous calls of vehicles in the ditch; however, there were no vehicle fatalities, Becker said.
As of Friday, meteorologists with the National Weather Service had removed a forecast of snow from the seven day forecast, meteorologist Wightman said. However, he felt there was a "limited chance" of snow for New Year's Day.
With the onset of winter weather, it's important to make special preparations before traveling, Becker said.
Among the suggestions are:
— Keep gas tanks and window-washer reservoirs full. (Make sure to use a winter mixture, because the summer mixture can freeze).
— Have some added weight over the drive wheels of the vehicle for traction. Becker said he uses water softener salt.
— Make sure tires are inflated properly.
— Have an ice scraper and snow shovel handy, along with kitty litter or something similar to provide traction in case one gets stuck.
— Pack extra clothing or blankets, as well as keeping some snacks on board.
— Check the exhaust system and make sure it is functioning correctly making sure the tailpipe is not pumping carbon monoxide into the vehicle.
— Check road conditions before venturing out by calling 1-800-585-7623, the Kansas road condition hot line or the web at www.kanroad.com
