This week’s bitterly cold temperatures have brought a natural comparison to mind: “At least it’s not as bad as February 2021.”
That particular cold snap, officially named Winter Storm Uri, was one of the worst in recent memory. Twelve consecutive days dropped below freezing with temperatures as low as -18 and snow. Natural gas prices spiked, leaving cities and customers on the hook for millions of dollars in unexpected costs.
The key to keeping things on track this year — even with frigid temperatures — is the lack of noticeable precipitation.
“We’ve had snow, just not all in one place,” Jason Trego, Allen County Emergency Management Director, said, estimating less than an inch has fallen at any one time. The Iola Water Plant reported a trace of snow on Jan. 12, 13 and 16.
Utilities have not been affected at any of the area cities, Trego reported.
“We’re not having ice accumulations on power lines or wind bringing them down. It’s just cold,” Trego said. A warming station is available at Iola Public Library, but only during business hours. Otherwise, no shelters or warming stations were opened.
“The conversations I’ve had with people throughout the county is that as long as there’s not any ice or snow, we can handle the cold. As long as utilities stay attached, we’ll get through it,” Trego said.
City road crews dumped sand on streets to provide better traction on city streets, Matt Rehder, city administrator said, but there wasn’t enough to require blading. Crews typically don’t bring out snow plows until the snow is measurable.
The city didn’t need to produce its own power over the weekend, but did fire up the engines on Tuesday. Natural gas prices peaked at $475 per unit but seemed to have normalized by Tuesday, Rehder said.
“That’s to be expected during a cold snap. Prices always go up when it gets cold,” he said. During February 2021, prices spiked about 900%.
City crews have maintained business as usual. Trash pickup has continued as normal; temperatures are expected to plummet again Friday morning so crews will assess and make a decision when the time comes.
Iola Police Chief Jared Warner said no accidents were attributed to weather.
Rehder said: “I think people just hunkered down over the weekend.”
GROW AT EDEN, a daycare provider, discovered frozen pipes at their Iola location on Monday afternoon. Owner Kandy Rushing said she hoped to have repairs made and the center opened on Wednesday.
The business was closed Monday because of the cold temperatures and because many staff members stayed home with school-aged children. School also was canceled in Iola, Moran and Humboldt on Tuesday because of the cold weather.
