Ice Storm in Crawford, Kansas

A large scale ice storm event developed over southeast Kansas and west central Missouri during the early morning hours of January 30, 2002. Synoptically, a shallow arctic air mass moved through the region dropping surface temperatures in the upper 20s. Strong jet stream winds from the southwest provided the influx of sub-tropical type regime. In addition, deep moisture from the Gulf of Mexico surged northward above this shallow air mass to set the stage for a prolonged ice storm. Light to moderate rainfall fell over the sub-freezing surface temperatures for nearly 36 hours. Ice begun accumulating on trees and power lines from southeast Kansas into west central Missouri Wednesday morning. Law enforcement officers and local weather observers reported nearly one half inch of ice accumulated on trees and power lines before 6 am Wednesday morning. The freezing rain, mixed with sleet at times, continued through the day with an additional one quarter to one half inch of ice by Wednesday evening. Total ice accumulations approached one inch thick on trees and power lines, by Wednesday night and Thursday. The ice started to weight down trees, power lines and other objects which caused widespread power outages. During the height of the storm, nearly 150,000 people were without power from southeast Kansas into west central and central Missouri. In addition, trees snapped which caused damage to homes, cars and businesses. One of the most incredible acts of destruction wrought by the ice was the collapse of a 465-foot radio tower east of Pittsburg, Kansas. Storm shelters were set-up in Crawford and Bourbon counties of southeast Kansas due to the widespread power outages. Although most of the main highway routes were wet, secondary roads were ice covered throughout the event. Numerous automobile accidents were reported, along with numerous injuries. The storm system began to wind down Thursday morning as temperatures rose above freezing. However, additional ice related problems continued through the early afternoon as the melting ice fell on homes, cars and businesses.