City of Osawatomie Prepares for Upcoming Snow Event
The City of Osawatomie is preparing for a multi-day winter weather event beginning Friday evening and continuing through the weekend. Forecasts currently call for approximately 5 –7 inches of total snow combined with extreme cold temperatures, which will significantly impact snow removal operations and road conditions.
Snow Removal Operations and Expectations
Public Works crews will begin snow and ice operations based on actual and expected accumulation, road conditions, and timing of the storm. Due to the extreme cold, residents should expect snow-packed roads, even with active plowing. Snow removal follows a priority-based system to keep the greatest number of people moving safely.
Priority order for snow removal:
- Primary Streets – Major thoroughfares such as Main Street, 6th Avenue, Osawatomie Road near the State Hospital, school access routes, and emergency response corridors.
- Secondary Streets – Streets that connect neighborhoods to primary routes.
- Residential Streets – Neighborhood streets, addressed once primary and secondary routes are passable.
Plowing will focus on maintaining access and improving traction, not achieving bare pavement. At temperatures this low, traditional road treatments are far less effective.
Crews will be placing curb markers today, including along 6th Street where new curbs have been installed. These markers help operators identify curbs that may be hidden by snow and prevent damage during plowing. We ask that you do not move or remove these markers if they are adjacent to your property. Public Works staff will collect them after the winter season is over. Sidewalks to city owned buildings as well as 500 and 600 block sidewalks along Main Street, will not be cleared until the majority of roadways are addressed due to storm timing and staffing constraints.
Residents are strongly encouraged to avoid parking on streets whenever possible starting Friday afternoon. If on-street parking is unavoidable, please park on the south and east sides of streets to allow plows to operate more effectively.
A map of snow routes and full procedures can be found here:
https://www.osawatomieks.org/public-works/pages/winter-weather-procedures
Road Treatment in Extreme Cold
With pavement temperatures near or below zero, salt has limited effectiveness. Crews will adjust operations accordingly by:
- Using liquid magnesium chloride sparingly and only on primary routes and known problem areas before bonding occurs.
- Applying a salt and sand mixture with a higher sand content to improve traction.
- Prioritizing intersections, hills, curves, and stop-controlled approaches.
Even with treatment, icy and snow-packed conditions are expected.
Power and Utilities
City generators are fueled and ready if needed. Generators may be operated under the following conditions:
- A prolonged Evergy outage, defined as any outage lasting more than four hours
- Direction from SPP for non-registered units to operate due to grid demand
- Extremely high market electricity prices where City generation is significantly more cost effective
Current projections do not indicate the need to run generators, but staff will continue monitoring conditions.
Fire and Emergency Response
If conditions warrant, the Osawatomie Fire Department is prepared to staff the fire station for faster emergency response. Should there be a need for a warming shelter due to prolonged outages or extreme cold, the City Auditorium will be opened and staffed. Any shelter activation will be communicated through official City channels.
Winter Driving and Safety Tips
The Osawatomie Police Department urges residents to stay off the roadways if possible. Road conditions will be hazardous with reduced visibility. If travel is unavoidable:
- Let someone know your route and expected time of arrival
- Drive slowly and increase following distance
- Give snow plows plenty of room to operate
- Carry an emergency kit including blankets, water, phone chargers, and medications
For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies contact the Osawatomie Police Department at (913) 755-2101. Driving conditions may change rapidly. While we encourage limiting travel, guidance for non-injury accidents will be included in public messaging to reduce unnecessary emergency response calls.
Extreme Cold and Frozen Pipe Prevention
With temperatures forecast to drop as low as -6°F, residents and businesses should take steps to reduce the risk of frozen pipes:
- Allow faucets to drip slightly, especially those on exterior walls
- Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation
- Maintain consistent indoor temperatures, including overnight
- Check unheated areas such as basements, crawlspaces, garages, and mechanical rooms
- Know where your main water shutoff is located
Frozen pipes can burst when temperatures rise, leading to significant property damage. Taking simple preventative steps now can help avoid costly repairs later.
Stay Informed
Urgent updates will be shared through the City’s website, social media, and TextMyGov alerts.
To receive emergency notifications, text OZALERTS to 91896 and follow the prompts.
The City appreciates the public’s cooperation as crews prepare for this storm and reminds everyone that winter weather in Kansas is unpredictable. Operations will adjust as conditions change.