Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Many travelers in northern Kansas have decided to stop in Salina and wait on an anticipated winter storm to pass.

Snow stopped falling on the Salina area about 4:30 p.m., leaving Interstate 135 and Interstate 70 traffic moving relatively smoothly throughout the afternoon and evening. More snow began falling about 8:30 p.m. and may be just the start of much more.

Many truck drivers and other travelers stopped at the Pilot Travel Plaza along I-70 to avoid slick road conditions west of Salina.

Ground travelers weren't the only people held up in Salina for the night.

"Both of my flights were canceled today out of Wichita, so I'm hoping to get out of Kansas City tomorrow," said Alan Coe, who was traveling to Kansas on business from Ohio.

Coe was hoping to be able to head home Thursday.

"I was down in Inman on business," he said. "I flew into Kansas City yesterday (Tuesday) and am returning to Kansas City tomorrow (Thursday). I'm a little worried about getting back there from Inman, but who knows."

In case he is able to head toward Kansas City Thursday, Coe fueled up his rental car at the travel plaza, which was serving as a home for the night -- maybe longer -- for many truck drivers.

While I-70 remained open Wednesday night, conditions were snow packed and slick west of Salina. With more snow expected, drivers said it was not worth any risk that might come with going any further.

Truckers and business travelers know rough weather is sometimes part of the equation and they just have to wait it out.

"I travel two, three times a week," Coe said. "You can either be upset about it or just kind of roll with it. It just kind of goes with the territory."

Coe, who was heading back to his Salina hotel, was grateful to know he at least had a warm place to wait.

"Find a warm bed, get a good night's sleep and try to find some place to get out of tomorrow," he said.