‘Stay home’: Freezing rain turns roads icy, dangerous, especially across south KC
Editor’s note: For the latest on the expected freezing rain and freezing drizzle, including which areas are under winter weather advisories, see More freezing rain, drizzle expected in Kansas City area. Here’s where, when.
A light freezing rain fell across Kansas City early Monday, creating icy roads, sidewalks and parking lots, especially in the south half of the metro area, according to the National Weather Service.
“Stay home unless absolutely necessary to venture out,” the weather service advised in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Jackson County Sheriff deputies had responded to several crashes involving single vehicles sliding off roadways, Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Fortè said on X shortly after 6 a.m.
“Black Ice Is Real,” Fortè posted. “A thin glaze of ice is creating dangerous conditions. Allow extra travel time and drive according to road conditions.”
Technical Trooper Tiffany Baylark, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Troop A in the Kansas City area, also urged drivers to use “extreme caution” because of the ice-covered roads.
It’s “Slicker than Andy Reid’s mustache out there,” the Raymore Police Department said on X. “Delay travel, if possible.”
Icy conditions leave people stranded
Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers were “crazy busy” between midnight and 8 a.m. responding to 71 calls, including 35 stranded and 24 non-injury crashes, the highway patrol’s Troop A reported on X.
There were two injury crashes where three people were injured.
“Stay home or delay your commute, while temps slowly rise,” the highway patrol said shortly after 8 a.m.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said it was “super slick” and urged people to be safe on the streets and sidewalks Monday morning.
“I was taking the Show-Me State approach to measuring weather conditions and attempted a run outside,” he said on X. “Slipped twice, had to jump in the snow for an easier fall.”
He added he was trying to make up for an all barbecue weekend, but decided it would have to wait a day. He said the temperature was pleasant for the first time in weeks though.
Shortly after 9:30 a.m., Kansas City police reported on X they had received 35 calls regarding crashes between 5 and 9 a.m. Monday. That did not include any walk-in or online reports.
Last week during that period, there were only four crashes.
RideKC bus schedules, delays
City manager Brian Platt said Kansas City had pre-treated all roads this past week and last night and that crews were out Monday.
“Remaining slick spots should be cleared within a few hours,” he said. “Please drive slow and be careful this morning.”
The KC Streetcar said it was running with normal hours Monday after crews treated the tracks and streetcar stops.
Members of the Waldo Neighborhood In Kansas City Facebook group reported that the roads were very slick. One reported that there was a RideKC bus that had been spinning out in front of the person’s house while another person said there was a bus that was stuck and turned sideways blocking the southbound lanes of Brookside Boulevard.
RideKC announced shortly after 8:30 a.m. that the hazardous roads were impacting bus service across the region.
“Expect significant bus delays,” the agency said on X. RideKC Freedom, On-Demand and Flex services were suspended until roads improve.
Johnson County Transit announced that RideKC Freedom and Microtransit services in Johnson County were suspended until 11 a.m., including already scheduled rides home.
This story was originally published January 22, 2024 at 6:46 AM.
