Kansas Wing Assists Winter Storm Searches

The Kansas State Emergency Operations Center contacted Kansas Wing Civil Air Patrol to assist in
searching for stranded motorists following the winter storm that started on January 8, 2024. High winds
and heavy snow created hazardous travelling conditions for motorists across the state. Kansas Wing
Civil Air Patrol aircrews are conducting flights looking for stranded motorists in the western third of the
state after the high winds have subsided.

Aircrews are primarily flying over the state and interstate highways. Upon sighting a vehicle that
appears stranded, the aircrew communicates with the State Highway Patrol the location of the stranded
vehicle.

Colonel Mark Lahan, Kansas Wing Commander, says, “Flying and searching for the stranded vehicles
aids the State Highway Patrol in getting assistance to the motorists faster. The aircrew can view a
larger area from the air and then notify the Highway Patrol where the assistance is needed.”