We're prepping for the first winter storm of the season
We're prepping for the first winter storm of the season
Lenexa, Kansas

MY LENEXA NEWS:
SPECIAL SNOW EDITION

Nov. 25, 2023
Serpent statue between trees at snowy park
Photo by Bill Harrison

Time to brush up on your snow smarts

Get ready, Lenexa — the first snow of the season is expected to arrive later today. Our snow removal crews are hard at work preparing to treat and plow streets in 12-hour shifts. 
Here's how we tackle each winter storm, plus a few ways to stay safe and lessen your snow-related stress.
Snow plow driving down snowy street
Photo by Karen Peterson

Before snow arrives

You’ll typically see trucks out spreading salt on the streets before the storm hits. If there’s heavy rain expected before the snow, you likely won’t see crews pretreating roads.
You should get prepared, too.
  • If you’re concerned about plows damaging your sod, place survey flags behind the curb. This will help plow drivers see your yard’s boundaries.
  • Park your vehicles in the driveway or garage, away from the roadway and curb. They create an obstacle for drivers, prevent roads from being fully cleared and can easily become blocked in by snow.
  • Remove portable items like basketball/hockey goals and skateboard ramps from the street. 
Man shoveling snow from driveway
Photo by Bill Harrison

During the storm

Snow crews focus on arterial and collector streets first to keep them passable for emergency services. Neighborhood streets are treated next. 
 The best place to be? At home.
  • Stay home if you can to give crews plenty of space to clear the streets. Keeping as many cars off the road as possible also helps emergency services from being overwhelmed by accidents.
  • If you are out driving, don’t pass or drive alongside plow trucks. They can remove multiple lanes of snow at a time. Stay at least 30 feet behind the plow. 
Our snow removal plan

Did you know?

The City of Lenexa only plows public streets and parking lots. Your neighborhood may maintain its own streets. Private snow removal services also take care of business parking lots. Highways are maintained by the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Prevent windrows with this pro tip

These piles of snow in front of your driveway are an unavoidable part of the snow removal process. But there's a trick to reducing their size. 
  1. Head outside with your shovel before the snow hardens and the plows pass.
  2. Shovel an inlet on the right side of your driveway (facing the house). 
  3. Pile the removed snow on the left. 
  4. The plow will push much of the snow into the inlet instead of the driveway.
More helpful resources
Footprints on snowy path
Photo by Nancy Armstrong

After the last flake

It’s our goal to have snow and ice cleared from City streets within 48 hours of the end of the storm. If that time has passed and it looks like your street was missed, call 913.477.7880.
Depending on forecast temperatures, crews will also remove snow from trails and school crossings after the storm has ended and all City streets and facilities are clear. If the weather forecast says snow will melt on its own within 48 hours of the storm, we likely will not plow trails and crossings.
Enjoy the snow safely
  • Teach your kids to stay behind the sidewalks when playing in the snow. Heavy loads of snow coming off the plow could hurt them. Keep creations like snowmen and snow forts away from the road, too.
Five people walking on snowy boardwalk
Photo by Bill Harrison

Snow Headquarters

Each storm is different. Wind speeds, duration of precipitation and the snow's depth and heaviness affect how long it takes to plow the streets. Salt is less effective at lower temperatures.
Throughout each storm, visit the Snow Headquarters page at Lenexa.com/Snow for updates like:
  • Latest forecast details for our area and how we're preparing. 
  • When we've moved into a new phase, like starting to plow commercial or residential areas.
  • Information about conditions that might impact our progress. 
Snow headquarters
View City Calendar
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City of Lenexa, 17101 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, KS 66219
www.lenexa.com | communications@lenexa.com | 913.477.7500
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17101 W. 87th St. Pkwy. 17101 W. 87th St. Pkwy.
Lenexa, KS | 66219 United States
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