Schools close in advance of snow
Staff writer
With as much as six inches of snow forecast for today, all five school districts in the county and some businesses announced closures before a single flake of snow fell.
Hillsboro Senior Center announced closures as well. Marion Senior Center’s standing policy is that if school is canceled, so are friendship meals.
Governor Laura Kelly was thinking even further ahead. At 8 a.m. Sunday, she declared a state of emergency statewide.
“Kansans have faced challenges due to winter storms this year,” Kelly said. “The key to meeting those challenges is to be prepared.”
Kelly also said in a statement that she urged state residents to be ready for winter emergencies by having home and car emergency kits and to have an emergency plan.
A home emergency kit should include a battery-operated radio, flashlight with extra batteries, extra blankets and warm clothing, several days’ worth of nonperishable food, high-energy snacks, and a gallon of drinking water per person for three or more days.
Car emergency kits should include jumper cables, flares or reflective triangle, an ice scraper, a car cell phone charger, blankets, maps, and cat litter or sand for tire traction.
Besides snow in today’s forecast, rain is forecast after midnight Friday and snow Saturday.
The warmest day in the coming week is predicted to be Friday, with an expected high of 41.