Blizzard conditions have wreaked havoc across northeastern Kansas, prompting major highways, including the significant Interstate 70, to close amid warnings for motorists to avoid travel at all costs. According to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), roadways are now impassable due to low visibility and significant snow accumulation.
KDOT reported on Sunday, January 5, 2025, the comprehensive closure of I-70 from the Missouri state line at Kansas City extending westward to Ellsworth County. Also impacted were major thoroughfares from Hays to the Missouri border, making travel virtually impossible. Highway closures affect numerous counties, including Marshall, Nemaha, and Riley counties. Reports have surfaced about severe conditions across the board, indicating urgent issues for vehicle mobility and safety.
The storm, which initially began impacting the region over the weekend, escalated late Saturday, forcing KDOT to issue emergency alerts. "Unless it is an emergency, please do not drive on Kansas roads. It is very dangerous for you and for our emergency services employees. Stay home. Stay safe!" cautioned KDOT, emphasizing the dire nature of the situation.
Further south, Missouri has not escaped the storm’s grips, facing severe icy conditions and slow-moving traffic as officials warned every significant route leading to and from Kansas City was littered with snow. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) noted, "Motorists cannot let their guard down once this precipitation ends," signaling the challenges still projected for drivers.
Road officials found emergency response impaired by the severe weather as at least two patrol cars and other emergency vehicles became stuck, unable to assist stricken travelers. With delays mounting, the advice from KDOT and MoDOT officials urged drivers with no urgent need to stay off the roads altogether.
The road closures, including I-70, have been categorized as significant, reflecting the breadth of the affected areas. Notably, the closures stretch from Hays to the Missouri line, the heart of the icy conditions plaguing the region. KDOT has asserted this is not merely isolated to major highways but multiple arteries covering the states. Reports indicated over 15 counties, from Geary to Doniphan, had all highways rendered impassable.
Current conditions have led KDOT to advise drivers to be prepared. "We appreciate the cooperation of the public in staying off the roads so our crews can focus on reopening routes as quickly and as safely as possible,” said KDOT Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed.
With temperatures forecasted to remain below freezing for the next ten days, road clearing isn’t expected to be prompt. Emergency crews are maintaining 12-hour shifts to restore the major routes across Missouri as well, where at least 2,084 service calls and over 350 crash responses have been logged since the weather turned. Chief Safety and Operations Officer Becky Allmeroth indicated the long-term nature of the recovery process. “It’s going to take our crews most of Monday to get major routes back to good condition, so we need people to continue avoiding travel,” she stated, reinforcing the withdrawal toward proactive safety measures.
The hazardous conditions prevalent across the state are underscored by significant delays caused by stranded vehicles and wrecks, affecting even those highways not officially closed but covered entirely with snow. Missouri’s interstates have been challenged as well, with I-435 plagued by multiple stalled vehicles, complicate, and slowing access roads even when major routes indicate otherwise.
Many motorists are advised to keep emergency kits handy, furnished with food, water, and blankets, should they find themselves caught outside. These recommendations seek to help bolster safety amid the unprecedented demands of clear driving conditions.
With the situation treacherous and the aftermath of snow accumulation barely beginning, authorities strongly recommend consulting KanDrive for updates on highway conditions across Kansas, emphasizing the totality of the blizzard’s effects. Officials reiterated the message: stay off the roads, keep safety as the utmost priority, and respond only if travel is necessary.
This significant winter storm serves as stark reminder of how quickly conditions can shift, and how preparedness across all measures remains pertinent throughout the region’s unpredictable winter months.