Streets and highways were snowpacked and icy throughout the day Thursday as a winter storm brought snow ranging in amounts from four to seven inches across the Wichita area.
An accident on westbound K-96 at Oliver backed up traffic in the morning, and another accident was reported later in the day. Accidents and slide-offs were reported on Kellogg, I-135 and I-235 during the morning hours. No serious injuries were reported. The Emergency Accident Reporting Plan was in effect Wednesday night into Thursday for the reporting of non-injury accidents.
Wichita street crews battled high winds as well as snowy conditions. A plow truck would clear a roadway but then gusty northerly winds would blow more snow over the road. Aaron Henning with the city’s public works department said there were problems with drifting of snow and whiteout conditions during the morning. Crews were working in 12-hour shifts into Thursday night, and Henning said sunshine and warmer temperatures on Friday will help improve road conditions.
