Overland Park public works outlines snow response after two major January storms

Lorraine, director of public works, gave the Public Works Committee a detailed debrief of the department’s snow operations after two consecutive storms in early January that produced freezing rain followed by heavy snow. The presentation described the timeline of response, the department’s priorities and staffing, equipment limitations experienced during the event, and planned follow-up actions including a self-assessment and periodic updates to the committee.

The storms began with sleet and freezing rain the evening of Saturday, Jan. 4, creating an initial ice accumulation. The first major snow event began in the early hours of Sunday, Jan. 5, and continued into that night with snowfall rates the department described as “about 1 and a half to 2 inches per hour.” By 9 p.m. Jan. 5 the department reported citywide accumulations ranging from about 10 to 13 inches, with an average near 11.5 inches. A second storm started the night of Jan. 9 and ended early Jan. 10, adding about 3 or more inches while the first event’s snowpack and frigid temperatures were still in place.

“The storm began Jan. 4 with freezing rain, quickly going to ice, massive amounts of snow, and so it required round upon operations,” Lorraine said, summarizing the conditions the crews…