GARNETT — It’s been 10 years since the Jan. 31, 2002, ice storm that devastated most of the Kansas City region but Anderson County officials tell the Anderson County Review that they’re still learning from the experience. Thick ice covered power lines and trees and electrical power was knocked out in Garnett and Anderson County, in some areas, for more than a week. Businesses and government offices had to use generators to keep a bare minimum of services going. Garnett city manager Joyce Martin said utility workers still find damage to electrical circuits and components as a result of the storm. Anderson County emergency preparedness director Marvin Grimes said that the ice storm provided valuable lessons and officials now take incidents such as the storm into account when they plan. For example, when Colony built a new fire station, an emergency shelter was included into the building, he said. Grimes said he now routinely reminds people to have emergency kits and generators.
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 3 p.m.
