One year ago this week, Saline County was digging out from one of the most significant winter storms in recent memory.
In early January 2025, a snowstorm dropped more than 13 inches of snow across Saline County, prompting officials to declare a local state of emergency as crews worked to clear roads, repair damage, and assess escalating costs tied to the storm’s aftermath.
Speaking with Salina311 at the time, Michelle Weis, Director of Emergency Management, outlined the scale of the response and the financial strain caused by the storm.
A Look Back: January 2025
The 2025 storm created challenges beyond simple snow removal. Weis explained that while emergency declarations are often tied to immediate threats to life or property, winter storms introduce longer-term infrastructure issues.
Freeze-thaw cycles following the snowfall led to aggregate washout, road damage, and ongoing repairs that required additional material, equipment, and manpower. Traffic delays were expected as crews worked through the backlog.
At the time, Saline County had already incurred nearly $89,000 in snow removal costs for county roads and bridges, while the City of Salina estimated at least $100,000 in equipment and material expenses.
The emergency declaration allowed the county to begin tracking costs toward state and potential federal assistance thresholds. Weis noted Saline County would need to surpass $249,793.80 in eligible damages to qualify for additional aid, with larger statewide totals required to unlock federal disaster assistance.
Weis expressed confidence that the county would meet its local threshold, pointing to past disasters such as the 2021 windstorm, which caused more than $500,000 in damages.
One Year Later: A Much Different Forecast
Fast forward to today, and Saline County is preparing for its first measurable snowfall of the 2026 winter season.
Forecasts currently call for two to three inches of snow, a modest system compared to the storm that dominated headlines this same time last year. While crews are preparing for slick roads and winter driving conditions, officials are not anticipating the widespread impacts seen in January 2025.
The contrast highlights how quickly winter conditions can shift from year to year — from emergency declarations and six-figure repair bills to a comparatively routine snowfall.
Salina311 will continue monitoring conditions and share updates as weather impacts develop.