Winter Weather State of Emergency

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has declared a state of emergency over the impending winter weather. The Governor has activated about 180 members of the Missouri National Guard in response to the storm system that should start moving through the state this evening.
The National Guard members are helping with equipment and are prepared to help the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri Department of Transportation respond to stranded drivers this weekend.
Heavy snow is expected with accumulations in Columbia at between 6 and 12 inches. The NWS warns that rapid accumulation of snow may make it extremely difficult to travel.
Pavement temperatures are expected to remain below freezing throughout the event, and extreme cold will significantly limit the effectiveness of salt. As a result, this is expected to be primarily a plowing operation. Drivers should anticipate slick conditions on all roadways, including those that have been plowed.
A 27-person City of Columbia Public Works snowplow crew will report at 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23. Crews will work through 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, after which operations will continue in 12-hour shifts for the duration of the winter weather event.
When snow accumulation reaches 2 inches or more, parking is prohibited on first and second priority snow routes. Vehicles parked on these routes may be ticketed or towed. These restrictions help crews clear streets more efficiently and keep routes accessible for emergency vehicles

In Mexico, Public Work’s Director Drew Williford says the city is well prepared… They have 6 plows, a loader, 3 skid loaders and a tractor ready to mobilize. The City also has a 2 inch threshold for snow routes.

In Moberly, the City’s Public Works department will have a crew on standby overnight on Friday, and crews will work all weekend as needed.   Public Works has a fleet of 12 vehicles online this weekend, including four dump trucks and 8 pickups, along with skid loaders, tractors, and UTV plows positioned in downtown.

In Moberly, when storms dump over 3 inches of accumulation, snow routes do go into effect.

Remember, Snow Routes are generally cleared first  with side streets addressed as quickly as possible. It is important that residents who live on snow routes move vehicles to off-street parking so crews can plow more effectively. Downtown residents received reminders this week that all downtown streets are considered snow routes and that they should use municipal lots until streets are cleared.