The condition of Hays’ Emergency Snow Routes is deteriorating quickly. Crews are making every effort to keep up, but the snow is accumulating faster than we can remove it.

At this time we are asking everyone to stay off the streets unless it is absolutely necessary.

Some arterial and collector streets have deteriorated to the point where non-four wheel drive vehicles are having difficulty maneuvering and several vehicles have become stuck in the roadway. Please be aware that City crews will not remove vehicles from the roadway unless they are public safety vehicles. It is imperative that city crews concentrate on removing snow from the roadway. They cannot be diverted from this mission in order to remove stuck vehicles.

The current winter storm is supposed to last for several more hours, with winds increasing later in the day. This will cause drifting and exacerbate the matter.

I-70 is closed between Hays and Salina, both directions. This will cause added traffic/congestion in the North Vine area.