Topeka — A robust winter storm Wednesday poured ice and freezing rain over parts of Kansas, with snowfall accumulations forecast to reach up to 12 inches in some areas. Gov. Bill Graves ordered state offices closed, and the state's major universities canceled classes.
Winter storm warnings were posted through this afternoon for much of the state.
Authorities in south-central, southeast and east-central Kansas reported downed trees and power lines in several areas. Some areas were without power sporadically throughout the day.
Graves ordered the closing of state office buildings, with only essential personnel asked to report. Hundreds of school districts canceled classes, as did Kansas University, Kansas State University and Wichita State University.
"Any time you get together ice and sleet and snow on top, you have to be very prudent," Kansas State President Jon Wefald said.
Rain, sleet and snow were expected to continue in eastern, central and southwest Kansas through this morning, the National Weather Service said. Most areas will only see a few inches of snow, though some places could see accumulations of between 6 and 12 inches. Strong winds Wednesday night and today in northeast Kansas also could cause snow to drift.
In Topeka, the Kansas Legislature canceled most meetings Wednesday, though a few lawmakers still made it to the Capitol. One was Senate President Dave Kerr, who arrived before 7 a.m. to call senators and tell them they didn't need to come in.
"I was a little concerned when I had trouble getting out of my driveway," said Kerr, R-Hutchinson, who rents a home in Topeka during the session. "On the main streets, it wasn't that bad."
The Legislature was last canceled because of weather on March 9, 1998, after a late-winter storm left up to 18 inches of snow in northeast Kansas.
In Wichita, Mid-Continent Airport closed one of its three runways, said Bailis Bell, director of airports. Numerous cancellations and delays were reported, and Northwest Airlines canceled all its flights.
Wheat farmers welcomed the storm. The area hadn't seen much moisture recently, and unseasonably warm weather had threatened to bring the wheat out of dormancy.
"It is a great thing for wheat ... any moisture we get is fantastic," said Brett Myers, executive vice president of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.
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