Record cold continued Monday after a weekend that brought as much as a foot of snow to Kansas over the weekend. The Golden Belt had its share, with more than six inches falling through Saturday evening and wind chills dipping into negative double digits and wind chills reaching -20 degrees Sunday morning.
The Sunflower State was among the first places hit late Friday by a winter storm that swept eastward across much of the nation, leaving at least 13 people dead and nearly a million customers without power.
Hypothermia was the likely contributor to the death of a 28-year-old Emporia woman, who was last seen walking home from the Town Royal Bar on foot without her purse, jacket or cellphone, according to the Emporia Police Department. The EPD announced they had found the body of Rebecca Rauber in a wooded area covered in snow on Sunday afternoon. Snow amounts were recorded anywhere from 4 to 8 inches across the state.
The community of Larned recorded snowfall in excess of 6 inches along with a sub-zero wind chill of -17 degrees on Saturday. Hutchinson, Chanute and Garden City recorded temps of -22, -21 and -21 degrees, respectively, Many other communities recorded -15 degrees or colder.
The National Weather Service Cold Weather Advisory extended until noon Monday. Temperatures were expected to become gradually warmer throughout the week, with lows in single digits increasing to double digits toward the weekend.
Local fire activity
Great Bend Fire Department crews battled multiple fires this past weekend. They encountered sub-zero temps and windchills along with snow.
Friday, Jan. 23
GBFD Fire and EMS units were dispatched to the report of a structure fire at 404 Plum. Upon arrival crews found an outbuilding fully involved and the fire had spread to a nearby trailer house. Crews quickly deployed multiple lines to begin fire attack. Crews simultaneously searched both buildings to make sure there were no occupants in the structures. The fire was quickly knocked down. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Sunday, Jan. 25
GBFD Fire and EMS units were dispatched to The Doghouse Bar at 5609 S. Oil Center Rd. for the report of a structure fire. Upon arrival crews found heavy smoke coming from the eves of the structure. Crews entered the building and made an aggressive interior attack and were able to extinguish the fire. Due to multiple Fire and EMS units already on calls in the city Ellinwood Fire Department was requested for mutual aid. The interior of the structure sustained substantial fire, smoke, and water damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Firefighters were also dispatched to a multi-unit apartment building at 811 Grant for a report of a structure fire. Initial callers reported a fire in the kitchen with sprinkler activation. Upon arrival, crews found a smoldering fire that had been mostly extinguished by the sprinkler system. Investigation determined that a grease fire had started then quickly spread to items around the stove. Sprinklers activated and extinguished the fire.
Monday, Jan. 26
Firefighters were dispatched to the 2300 block of Main Street for a vehicle fire. Upon arrival, crews found a full sized pick-up truck with heavy fire showing from the engine compartment. The fire was quickly extinguished.
Assisting GBFD on the weekend calls were the Great Bend Police Department, Barton County Sheriffs Office, Ellinwood Fire Department, Kansas Gas, Wheatland Electric, Mid-West Energy, and the Kansas State Fire Marshall’s Office.
