Winter storm puts county on ice
Ice and snow began blanketing much of Kansas Tuesday evening, and Marion County was no exception.
The combination of sleet and snow made roads hazardous for drivers and forced many school closings. Hillsboro, Marion, and Peabody districts all canceled classes for the day.
At Hillsboro True Value Hardware store, de-icing materials for sidewalks and windshield sold fast, said store clerk Kevin Marler.
And at Alco, all 40 bottles of windshield de-icer had sold out by the afternoon.
City crews were out in the wee hours of the morning, clearing the way for motorists, but the slippery surfaces didn't cause many extra accidents, according to local law enforcement.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Hillsboro Police Department hadn't received any reports of weather-related accidents, according to Police Chief Dan Kinning.
And around the county, sheriff's deputies hadn't seen any major accidents, said Sheriff Lee Becker.
In fact, as of Wednesday afternoon, the current blast of sleet and snow had caused fewer accidents than the county's first major snow on Jan. 18, Becker said.
The best way to prevent an accident is to stay off the roads, he said. But if you can't avoid driving, be sure to allow yourself extra time to get to your destination, and if possible, carry a cellular phone in case of an accident.
