Heavy Snow — Reno, Kansas

2007-01-20 to 2007-01-21 · Reno, Kansas

Event narrative

Snow accumulated 8 inches in Plevna. Additionally, three individuals were killed and three injured when two vehicles lost control and collided near the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and Kent Road. Another injury accident occurred in Hutchinson.

Wider weather episode

On Saturday, January 20th, a powerful storm system ejected northeast from the southern rockies across the southern and central plains. Intense lift and ample moisture along and ahead of this system produced widespread moderate to heavy snow across much of central, south-central and southeast Kansas. Accumulations ranged from 4 to 8 inches, heaviest across central Kansas, and portions of south-central Kansas. Snow began falling in earnest around 0900-1000 CST across south-central Kansas, and spread northeast throughout the day. The snow began tapering off by Saturday night, and finally ended by early morning on the 21st. Numerous traffic accidents occurred, several of which produced injuries (indirect). Sadly, three accidents proved fatal (all indirect). In Reno County, three family members perished when their vehicle lost control and collided with a westbound vehicle near the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and Kent Road. In Marion County, one person perished when two vehicles collided on Highway 15. And in Butler County, one person perished when their vehicle slid out of control and collided with a southbound vehicle on Haverhill Road near El Dorado. Furthermore, due to the weight of the snow, a warehouse roof in Coffeyville collapsed, the Masonic Lodge roof in Independence collapsed, and a carport in Belle Plain collapsed on the owner's vehicle.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 11206. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.