(MANHATTAN, KS – January 9, 2024) — City-operated buildings are closed Tuesday, January 9 due to winter weather and blizzardlike conditions.

This includes City Hall, Municipal Court, Flint Hills Discovery Center, Sunset Zoo, all three recreation centers, and the Ice Rink. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the Manhattan area until noon Tuesday, January 9.

All Parks and Recreation activities and programs scheduled for today have been canceled. This includes all activities at the recreation centers and Ice Rink. Eisenhower and Anthony Recreation Centers will be closing at 6 p.m. today. Douglass Activity Center will close at 5 p.m. today. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. today also has been canceled, as well as the City Commission meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Heavy snow and strong winds are expected today through Tuesday, with total snow accumulations of 4 to 10 inches expected. Winds gusting to as high as 45 mph will cause near-blizzard conditions and drifting snow.

Travel is expected to become very difficult. Blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Snow drifts might make roads impassable. These hazardous conditions are expected to impact Tuesday travel, as well.

Municipal Court will be closed Tuesday and any cases have been rescheduled to a future date. Payments may be made by deposit in the payment box outside the Courthouse or online.

For details about flight information out of Manhattan Regional Airport (MHK), please check the American Airlines website.

Essential operations staff — including street and utility crews, park and forestry crews, and the Manhattan Fire Department — will remain available to respond for snow removal efforts and emergencies.

Online Utility Payments

City services will still be available online and by telephone. Please visit cityofmhk.com to find contact information. In order to make utility bill payments during City Hall closures, dial (785) 587-2480 and choose option #1 to use the automated system.

Customers also can dial this system directly by calling (833) 277-8694, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Payments also can be made online at any time through the City’s online payment system, Paymentus. Customers may contact Paymentus Customer Care at customercare@paymentus.com or by calling (800) 420-1663 for help during this closure or outside of business hours.

Winter Weather Response

The Public Works Department started its 24-hour snow operation schedule today. Crews will work 24 hours, in 12-hour shifts each, for the duration of this winter storm. They began de-icing operations as soon as the snow began to cover the road surfaces.

Crews will continue to monitor streets and perform de-icing operations as long as there is precipitation falling and until all roads are safe and passable. The City will be treating and plowing major roadways first. Blizzardlike conditions and low visibility are expected today and Tuesday. Please reduce speed and use extra caution if needing to travel today or Tuesday.