A snowplow erupts into flames in Franklin County while on the job early Sunday morning/KOFO 1220 AM
Most of the northern tier of the eastern half of the state continued to endure Winter Storm Blair’s conditions Sunday as blizzard warnings and winter storm alerts dragged on through the anticipated end of 2025’s first dose of nasty weather.
In its wake forecasters say to expect bitter cold temperatures with lows in the single digits to zero over the next few days and highs in the 20s climbing to upper 30s by weeks end.
Meanwhile as of 3 p.m. Sunday numerous highways were closed particularly in the northeast area of the state as blowing snow drifted over lane markings and challenged visibility. Most damage came from falling ice-covered tree limbs. The stress of the storm and responders’ efforts to combat it took a toll on equipment and facities as well. Evergy reported 163 active outages affecting nearly 2,600 customers Sunday afternoon out of its nearly 1.7 million customer base. In Franklin County a KDOT snow plow truck caught fire near the intersection of K68 and Tennessee Road east of Ottawa shortly after 6 a.m. Sunday. No injuries were reported.
Many businesses in the affected areas typically open Sundays were closed, although most gas stations appeared to be open in select areas. The system was expected to leave the state this evening leaving behind clearer skies and bitter cold temperatures of around 2 degrees.
Dane Hicks is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School at Quantico, VA. He is the author of novels "The Skinning Tree" and "A Whisper For Help." As publisher of the Anderson County Review in Garnett, KS., he is a recipient of the Kansas Press Association's Boyd Community Service Award as well as more than 60 awards for excellence in news, editorial and photography.
