Live updates: Slick roads, bridges threaten morning commute after snow falls in KC
Editor’s note: This we are continuously updating this story. Check back for more throughout the morning.
Snow from a winter storm that cut across Missouri left behind slippery roads for the morning commute in Kansas City.
“We are seeing several reports of incidents on area roads this morning,” the National Weather Service in Kansas City said on social media. “Light snow is reducing visibilities and road conditions are still slick.”
Drivers were asked to allow extra time for their commute and to slow down and leave plenty of space between them and the vehicles around them.
“Some roadways are snow covered in eastern Jackson County,” said Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forte’. “Drive according to road conditions to safely arrive at your destination.”
Kia dragged under semi after sliding through stoplight
A semi-truck dragged a silver Kia with its driver inside about eight miles after the car is believed to have slid through a red light and got trapped under the truck’s trailer, Capt. Brad Robbins, a spokesman for the Leawood Police Department, said.
Investigators believe the crash occurred as the truck was headed through a green light from the exit ramp of westbound Interstate 435 at State Line Road in Leawood. The Kia was traveling south on State and slid through a red light. It then struck the trailer in front of the rear wheels, police said.
Police from several agencies started receiving calls around 3:40 a.m. that a semi-truck headed west on I-435 was dragging the Kia. Overland Park officers stopped the truck around 3:46 a.m. at I-435 and Lackman Road.
The Kia was trapped under the rear passenger side of the trailer. The driver, a 28-year-old Kansas City woman, was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Area schools announces closures, delays
Update 7:40 a.m.: Numerous Kansas City-area school districts have announced closures or delays because of the winter weather and road conditions.
Among the school districts that announced closures are Kansas City Public Schools, Shawnee Mission School District, DeSoto Unified School District and Independence School District.
A more detailed list of closures and delays can be found here.
Snowfall ends in Kansas City
Update 7:30 a.m.: The winter storm advisory for the Kansas City area was canceled shortly before 7:30 a.m., the weather service said.
“Snow has ended across northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri therefore the advisory has been canceled,” the weather service said.
Slick spots still remain on some area highways, city streets, sidewalks and parking lots. The weather service advised people to be careful when traveling.
Messy commute in Kansas City
Update 7 a.m. Highways in the Kansas City area were mostly clear to partly covered with snow on the Missouri side of the Kansas City area, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s road conditions map.
On the Kansas side of the metro, highways were wet to partially covered with snow, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation’s road conditions map.
The Kansas City Scout traffic map showed several crashes across the metro, including along Interstate 435 near U.S. 24 highway, Interstate 49 near the Three Trails Crossings and Interstate 670 near Seventh Street Trafficway.
Crews worked through the night in Blue Springs to treat the roads, the city said on social media. They asked people to move their vehicles off the street to give plows room to work.
RideKC said most of its buses were running regular routes and schedules. The RideKC Freedom , On-Demand, Flex and Micro Transit services were running under the agency’s Weather Plan Phase A with 30-60 minute delays possible.
KC Streetcar said its crews were up early keeping tracks and platforms clear. The streetcar was operating its regular Wednesday hours of 6 a.m. to midnight.
“Tracks & platforms are clear and streetcars are running,” the streetcar service said.
People should use caution when walking as untreated sidewalks and parking lots were slick and snow covered.
Winter weather advisory canceled for eastern Kansas
Update 6 a.m.: The National Weather Service has canceled a winter weather advisory for several counties west of the Kansas City metro area, including Jefferson, Douglas and Shawnee counties.
“Snow has ended across eastern Kansas so the advisory has been canceled,” the weather service said. “There may still be some slick spots on roadways, driveways and sidewalks this morning so use caution while traveling early today.”
This story was originally published January 25, 2023 at 7:30 AM.
