KDOT, MoDOT advises drivers to stay off roads due to weather conditions

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — I-70 is closed in both directions from the Missouri state line in Kansas City west to the Ellsworth County line in western Kansas. 

In addition, all highways are now closed in Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Doniphan, Riley, Pottawatomie, Jackson, Atchison, Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Lyon, Osage, Douglas, Wyandotte and Johnson counties.

KDOT says low visibility, impassable conditions, and extreme winter weather led to the closures. 

“This storm has not been easy for snowplow drivers, KDOT, MoDOT, local folks or motorists. There are some crews in North Central Kansas that have had to cease snow-clearing operations because snow plows kept sliding off the roadway, as well as motorists. So these are very dangerous conditions,” said Delaney Tholen, KDOT’s KC Metro Public Affairs Manager. 

KDOT advises against all non-emergency travel as blizzard conditions persist. 

MoDOT crews are focused on interstates and other major routes, but low visibility has caused roadblocks for some snow crews.

“We've had to pull some crews off the roads actually to basically just give them a break and also because they really couldn't even see what they were doing. So that's going to impede their progress a little bit,” said Melissa Black, MoDOT’s Kansas City District Communications manager. “We're still trying to focus on the interstates and major routes. So we haven't made progress anywhere else.”

Crews are working to reopen roads on the Kansas side, with priority given to major routes. Progress will depend on weather conditions.

KDOT officials urge people to stay off the roads through Monday.

“Road conditions throughout the metro are not safe for travel. Folks are advised to stay home when possible. The roads are snow packed and the visibility is very low. So stay home,” Tholen said. 

“I'm thinking that Monday morning is still going to be pretty slick in a lot of places. Probably still a lot of snow on most of our routes because we have still been, like I said, just fighting those interstates and major routes,” Black said.  “So a lot of the areas we still haven't been able to get to yet.  

So, on Monday morning, people want to get out and get to work. They may have to wait a while. They may still have to stay at home.”

MoDOT reminds people to stay at least 100 feet from snow plow trucks.

“Don't try to pass the plow. Not only do you take a chance of getting caught between plows and getting hit potentially with debris or the trucks, but you're then trying to go on a road that hasn't been cleared yet,” Black explained. 

If you must travel, slow down, buckle up, and have an emergency kit in your car. 

If you need roadside assistance in Kansas, dial *47 on Kansas highways or *582 on KS Turnpike. The motorist assist number in Missouri is *55. If it’s an emergency, call 911. 

“The biggest thing we tell folks is just stay in your vehicle, don't get out of it, call for help, and stay in there,” Black explained. “Because I know we've had a couple of instances of folks trying to get out of their vehicles, and that's very, very dangerous.”

If you do have to travel, KDOT suggests having the following items in your car. 

• Snacks and water
• Battery-powered weather radio 
• Flashlights and batteries
• Spare battery pack for cellphone
• First aid kit
• Shoes, socks, and blankets
• Shovel and Ice scraper 
• Jumper cables and tools