By BARBARA PROFFITT | February 17, 2021

During the meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 17, the Linn County Commissioners voted to pass Resolution 2021-09, declaring a state of natural disaster and emergency due to the extreme temperatures and weather conditions.

The resolution states that certain conditions have created obstructions that threaten the health, safety and welfare of persons and property within Linn County. This resolution will remain in effect for seven days unless extended by the Board of Commissioners.

Commissioner Rick James also noted that Kansas Governor Laura Kelly had issued a State of Disaster Emergency on Sunday, Feb. 14, due to wind chill warnings and stress on utility and natural gas providers.

Extremely low winter temperatures and below zero wind chills for more than a week has stressed utility and natural gas providers across the state. The state’s declaration authorizes the use of state resources and personnel to assist with response and recovery operations in affected counties that meet certain criteria.

Several businesses in La Cygne have closed in an effort to help conserve natural gas for that area and the city of Pleasanton is asking their residents to conserve water and refrain from using dishwashers and washing machines as they work through issues with frozen clarifiers and pumps at the water plant.

With a brief break in the low temperatures and wind chills in sight, snow is back in the forecast late Saturday night, Feb. 20, and into Sunday morning, Feb. 21, possibly turning to rain by Sunday afternoon.