State issues ‘Emergency Alert,’ advises drivers to stay off roads due to winter weather

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A statewide alert sent to smartphones across Kansas urges drivers to stay off of Kansas roads unless there’s an emergency. The alert follows numerous closures across the state, including in Harvey County where the sheriff’s office issued a travel alert, advising that all state highways in the county are closing “due to the impacts of the winter storm. In Harvey County, the state highway closures include Interstate I-135, U.S. 50, K-196 and K-15.

“These State-maintained roadways, and we do not have a timeline when they will reopen. We will share updates as they are made available to us,” the county explained.

On Sunday afternoon, the Kansas Department of Transportation advised that due to low visibility and impassable conditions, Interstate 70 was closed in both directions from the Missouri state line in Kansas City west to the Ellsworth County line and that eastbound I-70 was also closed from Hays to the Missouri state line.

Joining Harvey County, KDOT said that all highways were closed in Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Doniphan, Riley, Pottawatomie, Johnson, Jackson, Atchison, Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Lyon, Osage, Douglas, Wyandotte, Washington, Clay, Geary, Dickinson, Morris, Marion, Chase, McPherson, Saline, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Ottawa, Mitchell, Republic, Cloud and Jewell counties.

Representing central Kansas and some of the areas most heavily impacted by the ice and snow, including Salina, Kansas Highway Patrol Troop C shed light on what troopers are dealing with.

“Due to untreated roadways and hazardous conditions, some motorists may be stuck for extended periods of time,” KHP Trooper Ben Gardner posted on the troop’s Facebook page a little after 5 p.m. Sunday. “Emergency response is extremely difficult, and we ask for your patience as troopers work to assist those in need. Please avoid travel if possible to help keep everyone safe.”

The first winter storm of 2025 prompted numerous closures to schools, businesses and local government facilities across Kansas. You can keep up with the full list of closures and delays here: https://www.kwch.com/weather/closings/. While temperatures will be dangerously cold on Monday, conditions are expected to improve enough throughout the day for most if not everyone to open again on Tuesday.

You can catch updates on highway conditions across Kansas here: www.kandrive.gov.

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