Patience appreciated during snowstorm

After the recent snowstorms, Peabody city officials want to remind residents of the policy the city follows.

“If you are elderly or have medical appointments or emergencies, call the city office for help,” deputy city clerk Stephanie Ax said. “We will try to prioritize assistance for you.”

Ax continued the city couldn’t make any promises if the severity of the storm is unknown.

“We have to think of the ‘big picture’ first, the safety of the community as a whole, and our emergency crews and vehicles,” Ax said. “When the major clearing is finished, we try to help where we can.”

“Our community owes a big thank you to the employees who worked around the clock to clear a massive amount of snow from our streets,” Ax said, and many residents called the city office to thank the crews.

More than 15 inches of snow accumulated in the city.

Ax reminded residents that if city crews create windrows that blocks driveways or results in drifts that prevent access, the city would be willing to assist in making the drive accessible.

She added that the city is not responsible for clearing private drives.

County snow total might be a record

Some Marion County residents reported they received more than 20 inches of snow last week.

Meteorologist Scott Smith, of the Wichita office of the National Weather Service, reported the county received between eight and 14 inches of snow Feb. 7 and 8.

Smith said the northeastern parts of the county were hit hardest with reports of as much as 16 inches of snow.

The Wichita area received 8 inches of snow.

According to the National Weather Service, the highest single day snowfall in the Wichita area was 12 inches on Jan. 18, 1962.

Through the month of February, the area has received 13 inches of snow. The average snowfall for the month is 4.1 inches of snow.

“That’s quite above average,” Smith said.

Park ranger Torey Hett reported Marion Reservoir received 10 inches of snow.