‘Wall of dust’ blows into western Kansas as schools and roads close amid strong winds
A “wall of dust” is moving east into western Kansas as hazardous wind warnings continue across the region.
In some areas, high winds have reduced visibility to less than a mile, weather officials report, while gusts are expected to reach up to 80 mph.
Schools in the area closed as a precaution, and roads continue to close as winds from Colorado reach Kansas.
Gov. Laura Kelly addressed the dangers at a news conference.
The winds are “a concern,” she said, “and I’m glad that our folks are on it.”
“We’ve got our emergency management people out really connecting with our communities and making sure that if some needs arise that we are able to respond to those needs,” she continued. “I, like everybody else, recognize that this is Kansas and we deal with interesting weather on a regular basis and that we’re prepared in the event that something does happen because of the wind.”
School closures
Prior to the wind storms, several districts in western Kansas canceled classes for Wednesday, Dec. 15. Among those districts are Garden City Public Schools, Republic County Schools and Greeley County Schools.
“Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines,” Republic County’s school district shared on Facebook. “Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
Montezuma, Copeland, Cimarron-Ensign, Bucklin, Sublette, Ulysses, Leoti, Oakley, Triplains, Spearville, Dighton, Meade and Deerfield school districts have also canceled school because of winds, KWCH reported.
Road closures
As high winds can “create dangerous travel conditions and create low visibility at times,” KanDrive has reported several road closures, including US-54 between MM 33 and MM 43, near Meade.
A wobbling traffic camera in the area shows low visibility as a street sign warns of “high winds blowing dust.”
Interstate 70 has also been closed in both directions between the Colorado state line and US 183 in Hays following a crash and dust blowing through the area.
KS 25 in Lankin is closed between Lincoln Ave. and Railroad Ave. due to “debris on the rad” and downed power lines have led to a closure on US 83 between Plymell Rd. and Annie Scheer Rd.
Kansas City Star reporter Katie Bernard contributed to this report.
This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 1:02 PM.