COLBY, Kan. (AP) — Governor Sam Brownback has issued a state declaration of emergency for sections of northwest Kansas hit by heavy snow. The National Weather Service says the heaviest snowfall was from Atwood to Colby, where about 20 inches of snow was recorded early Wednesday. Heavy snowfall was also reported in Sharon Springs, which got about a foot of snow, and Goodland, which recorded 7 inches of snow. The Kansas Department of Emergency Management said in a release Wednesday that Brownback issued the emergency declaration and is urging motorists to stay off area roadways until conditions improve. KDEM says the Kansas National Guard is helping patrol Cheyenne, Rawlins, Sherman and Thomas counties searching for stranded motorists. Authorities say there've been several reports of cars sliding off roads, but no injuries have been reported.