Slick roads lead to crashes around KC metro Tuesday morning

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Wintry conditions are continuing to impact the Kansas City area this week.

For a full list of the latest closures, click here.
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6 p.m. | A fire around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday in the 300 block of NE Parks Edge Place was caused by a space heater being plugged into a power strip and extension cord, according to the Lee's Summit Fire Department.

All occupants were able to evacuate, except for a dog. However, the dog was found under a bed upstairs and "appeared to be okay."

The fire caused significant damage to the basement, where the fire originated, as well as heat and smoke damage to the first floor and stairs to the basement. Other areas of the house suffered various smoke damage, per LSFD.

5 p.m. | A Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop A trooper was inside his vehicle when it was struck from behind at the scene of a non-injury crash on Tuesday.

While he was not injured, MSHP said "he will be sore."

The driver of the striking vehicle suffered moderate injuries.

Today a trooper was struck by another vehicle while he was at the scene of a non-injury crash. The trooper was inside his patrol when he was struck from behind. The trooper was not injured but will be sore! The other driver received moderate injuries. Slow down, move over! pic.twitter.com/XmdMbc4uSA

— MSHP Troop A (@MSHPTrooperA) January 16, 2024

4:45 p.m. | The KC Pet Project has reportedly reached crisis capacity as winter weather has slowed adoptions but increased incoming pets.

"Our phones are ringing off the hook with people asking about surrendering their pets," Tori Fugate, chief communications officer of KC Pet Project, said in a news release. "There isn’t an end in sight to this crisis. We’re doing everything we can to save lives, but we need the community’s help to do so."

Fugate said the influx has been "nonstop," and while the shelter does not want to euthanize pets to make space for new arrivals, she said "many dogs are at-risk."

1:15 p.m. | Despite a mild warm-up Tuesday into the double digits, the effects of the cold continue to burden infrastructure in the Kansas City area.

Water One is working to repair a water main break in Prairie Village. Eastbound 75th Street from Briar to Roe is closed Tuesday for repairs for the next one to two hours. 29 customers were impacted. by the break.

Over the weekend, one Brookside resident captured a geyser-like break in front of his residence.

11 a.m. | The National Weather Service said Tuesday four records were broken in Kansas City over the past two days.

Sunday, the record low of -12 beat the 1979 record of -10, and the record cold high of -3 beat the previous record of 0 set in 1979.

Monday, the record low of -16 beat the 1979 record of -10, and the record cold high of 2 beat the previous record of 6 set in 1972.

NWS also said Monday's -16 was the 16th coldest temperature of all time for KC.

Records that were broken the past 2 days in KC:1/14: Record low -12 (old record -10 1979)1/14: Record cold hi -3 (old record 0 1979)1/15: Record low -16 (old record -10 1979)1/15 Record cold hi 2 (old record 6 1972)*The -16 on 1/15 was the 16th coldest temp all time for KC.

— NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) January 16, 2024

10:35 a.m. | Trash haulers and workers continue to work through the snow and cold temperatures to operate residential trash service, however, it has been slow going. Customers are advised of delays.

10:15 a.m. | The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities is warning about the possibility of water main breaks due to the cold and fluctuating temperatures.

9:56 a.m. | The extreme cold prompted the Kansas City, Missouri, Municipal Court to cancel all in-person hearings Tuesday.

9:40 a.m. | Slick roadways have been causing crashes across the Kansas City area Tuesday morning.

KSHB 41 traffic anchor Daisha Jones has been monitoring crashes as they occur.

You can see if any crashes are impacting traffic along your route by checking Kansas City Scout.

KSHB 41 meteorologist is forecasting a high temperature of 12 degrees and a wind chill of -10 to -5 degrees Tuesday. You can read all the details in her latest forecast HERE.

Power outages are also continuing amid the wintry weather. As of 9:40 a.m., 3,400 Evergy customers are without power, many of which are in Lenexa and Shawnee.

A number of public services are also out of service due to the weather.

The Olathe Fire Department shared that its non-emergency services will not operate Tuesday due to a broken water line impacting the Olathe fire administration building at 1225 South Hamilton Circle. Its emergency services are not impacted.

The Kansas City, Missouri, Municipal Court is closed due to the extreme cold. All cases will be continued and hearings for those in custody will still be held virtually from the Jackson County Detention Center..