This past weekend, the Kansas City metro area experienced its fourth largest single-day snowfall on record, dating back to 1888. Some parts of Johnson County received over a foot of snow.

Johnson County Government staff worked together on our response, which continued into a large part of this week. With a priority on resident and employee safety, the county made the decision to close county buildings and facilities Jan. 6-7 – something that hadn’t been done since 2014.

Coordination and pre-planning began several days before the storm hit, led by the County Manager’s Office and the Emergency Management division and involving leadership from several departments, agencies and offices. Employees from many areas worked overtime to cover for their colleagues, ensuring that essential services continued.

Communicators throughout the organization partnered to make sure residents had updated information about weather-related impacts and warming center availability, with information posted on jocogov.org/snow.

Public Works, Facilities Management and Airport crews worked long hours clearing roads, runways, parking lots and sidewalks. Public Works plowed and treated 220 miles of paved roads and cleared 136 miles of gravel roads in unincorporated Johnson County, working 75 continuous hours to get the job done.

The Emergency Communications Center responded to 392 fire and EMS 9-1-1 calls over the weekend. The Sheriff’s Office dispatch also answered hundreds of 9-1-1 calls, and deputies responded to about 125 motorist assists and accident calls. MED-ACT transported 362 patients due to falls, accidents and other injuries.

Aging and Human Services delivered shelf-stable meals ahead of time to residents who utilize Home-Delivered Meals, knowing that service isn’t available during extreme winter weather.