Photo was taken at 8:15 a.m. Thursday morning
by Fawn Brents, located downtown Lee's Summit.
By Jessica Root
Intern Reporter for the Tribune
intern@lstribune.net
For LSR7 students and teachers, a snow day is a nice treat every once in a while. It’s even nicer when it’s doubled and yet another four-day weekend is born. Extra days to relax, extra days to catch up… But occasionally snow days turn into a little more than they were bargained for.
On the evening of Wednesday, February 20, LSR7 cancelled classes the following day along with many other metro area districts. The anticipated snow fall, however, didn’t actually begin until the early hours of Thursday morning.
Alongside the schools, businesses such as Summit Fair and other shopping centers, declared they were closed for the snow storm. Many residents referred to the snow storm as “thunder snow” and took cover inside their cozy homes.
Heavy snowfall, amounting to 12 inches or more, already blanketed the area by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 21, so the City of Lee’s Summit formally activated the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The EOC is staffed by Mayor Randall Rhoads and representatives of the City’s Public Works, Fire, Police, Administration, Finance, Information Technology Services, Procurement, Planning & Development, Parks and Recreation, Water Utilities and Codes Administration departments until the impact of storm has been reduced.
At 11:15 a.m. Mayor Rhoads declared the City of Lee’s Summit in a State of Emergency. Lee’s Summit was last in a State of Emergency in January of 2010 for blizzard conditions. The current storm’s snowfall is heavier and less blizzard-like.
Residents were asked to stay inside and avoid traveling. At about noon on Thursday, February 21, LSPD advised that everyone stay off the roads for 12 to 18 hours.
Public Works crews operated at a Level 4 with 30 vehicles plowing and treating arterials and collectors around the clock due to blowing and drifting snow.
The Snow Desk, (816) 969-1870, will be staffed throughout the snow removal operation. Residents can receive updates about the City’s snow removal efforts by e-mail, cell phone text message and Web by visiting: www.Nixle.com. Nixle is a free service.
Residents are also encouraged to stay up-to-date on weather conditions, by listening to radio, watching television weather casts, and going online at cityofls.net.
In an effort to plow and treat the primary roads, the police department is towing illegally parked and abandoned vehicles that are blocking the primary roads. The police department will attempt to contact the vehicle’s owner to have it removed prior to having it towed. If you have questions about your vehicle, call the Lee’s Summit Police Department at (816) 969-7391.
Later Thursday afternoon, R-7 School District announced school would be cancelled for Friday, Feb. 22.
