Leavenworth County declares local disaster after historic snow and freezing rain

The Leavenworth County Board of County Commissioners on a unanimous vote approved Resolution 2025-1, declaring a local state and county disaster beginning Jan. 5, 2025, after a winter storm that left widespread snow and a layer of freezing rain on roads.

Emergency Management Director Chuck McGaha told commissioners the State of Kansas had “declared a statewide disaster for all counties involved,” and requested the county declaration so Leavenworth County could document damages and seek public assistance. McGaha said the storm deposited “anywhere from 10 to 14 inches of snow” in parts of the county and that the underlying freezing rain “made a ice rink of of all of our county roads,” complicating clearing operations.

The declaration authorizes the county to assemble documentation for public assistance programs and to seek reimbursements for government costs such as equipment repairs and materials. McGaha described emergency responses that included opening a temporary shelter at the United Methodist Church in Basehor that housed 13 residents for two days and county crews and contractors moving to clear primary roads and then secondaries as conditions allowed.

Commissioners and staff discussed impacts to state-maintained highways, noting multiple closures on state routes including I-70 and segments of K-92. Commissioners reported wrecks and vehicles off the roadway on K-92 and raised concerns about delays in reaching the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) during the event. The board said school districts, townships and cities are included in the county’s documentation for public assistance.

McGaha noted the state’s threshold for federal public assistance eligibility is $5,200,000 in total statewide damages and described a statewide per-capita calculation discussed by the state. He also told commissioners that the state’s disaster period typically stays open initially for about 20 days and can be extended depending on conditions and ongoing damage assessments.

During discussion commissioners credited county public works crews for their work during hazardous conditions, while also acknowledging that side roads and private drives would take longer to clear than in a normal snow event. Commissioners and staff said crews had repeatedly become stuck while pulling graders and plows out of ditches during the response.

The board approved the resolution by voice vote; the motion to approve was made and seconded on the record and the chair announced the ayes. The resolution names Jan. 5, 2025, as the initial onset date for the local declaration.

The commission’s action allows Leavenworth County and jurisdictional partners to move forward with damage documentation and applications for public assistance; commissioners asked staff to include affected local entities and school districts in those applications and to follow up on coordination with KDOT.