Opinion: Winter storm tests new Hutch snow removal plan
By Gina Long
The City of Hutchinson released its new snow removal policy in October, which is viewable on the city’s website here.
The plan is more proactive and includes steps to plow more side streets, a policy frustrating for those who live more than two roads off a main street.
I don’t think anyone at the city’s public works department anticipated the debut taking place during one of the worst ice storms in over a decade. It will be interesting to see how the plan holds up and if anything needs a tweak or two.
I ran some quick errands this morning before the rain started freezing. Michael and I had our weekly editorial meeting a day early, anticipating that Sunday would be a stay-at-home day. The roads had not developed slick spots yet, but the curbs and sidewalks had already developed an icy coating.
The Hutchinson Police Department’s traffic unit had a heavy presence. I was thankful that the intersections were still clear, traffic was moving more slowly than normal, and drivers were allowing extra space.
As I write this, the rain has begun to fall harder, and it looks like we might even have a thunderstorm develop over us. We are looking at sleet and freezing rain until about 3 a.m. when snow is expected to take over and drop 6 – 9 inches and end around 3 p.m. Just ten minutes ago, it was perfectly still outside, but I can hear the wind beginning to gust. Tomorrow’s predictions call for 25 – 30 mph sustained winds with gusts up to 50 mph.
I hope the area doesn’t suffer long-term power outages during the massive ice storm in December 2007. My parents lived on the west side of Hendricks and did not have power restored for seven days. Let’s hope that those steep Evergy rate increases include hardening the infrastructure against winter weather.
My friends in Hastings, Nebraska, are expecting 22 inches of snow but no ice. Of the two, I prefer snow — it’s easier to walk in and harder to slip on.
I will also plug one of my favorite weather websites — the National Weather Service’s Weather Story, which provides daily graphical forecasts and updated forecasts when inclement weather is expected. The Wichita NWS site is here, and provides current weather, expected forecasts generally covering the next 24 hours, and additional information such as precipitation totals. I used the short-term forecast graphic from 10:42 p.m. on Saturday as this column’s header to show an example. The graphics are easier to read than text-dense forecasts.
Please be careful and stay at home if you can.
As I finish this editorial and prepare for a possible prolonged power outage, I am thanking the city, county and state workers hustling to keep the roads salted and clear, the police and fire for working to protect and serve during even the worst weather, and our EMS, dispatchers, nurses, doctors, grocery store workers, and everyone else who doesn’t have the privilege to stay home. Be sure to thank them.
By Gina Long The City of Hutchinson released its new snow removal policy in October, which is viewable on the city's website here. The plan is more proactive and includes steps to plow more side streets, a policy frustrating for those who live more than two roads
