Crews continue clearing Mid-Missouri roads after heavy snowfall

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Snow and slick roads have kept drivers on high alert all weekend, but for many who chose to stay home, a different challenge waited right outside their front doors.

Mid-Missouri was blanketed with five to nine inches of snow, according to the ABC 17 StormTrack Weather Team, leaving residents shoveling driveways and sidewalks before the workweek begins Monday morning.

Even with the freezing temperatures, some locals are embracing the winter weather.

"I have a theory that if it's going to be super cold, there should be something to show for it. So I am all about snow if it's going to be close to below zero," Garrett Rucinski said.

In Columbia, the city’s 28-person snowplow crew spent Sunday morning clearing first and second-priority routes, including main roads and emergency paths. By the afternoon, crews moved on to third-priority roads — and they’re not stopping there.

City officials said plows will continue working throughout the night, so residents may hear snowplows moving through their neighborhoods.

As of 11:20 a.m., MoDOT reported the majority of main roads across Mid-Missouri were still covered.

Residents said they were expecting worse conditions from the weekend storm.

“It was not as cataclysmic, at least where we’re at in the center of town, s I think people thought,” Rucinski said.

Columbia resident Yazmine Valdivia-Raygoza, who has lived in the city for 25 years, said this storm was not the worst she has experienced.

"It's actually probably not as bas as I've seen it before," she recalled.

Columbia residents can track where crews have been and where they’re headed next using the city’s snow-clearing progress viewer, which will be activated tonight. The online map shows which streets have already been plowed and which ones are still waiting to be cleared.

"I pretty lucky because I live close to downtown," Resident Yazmine Valdivia-Raygoza said. "My road is always clear no matter what. So I guess I'm just really lucky in that sense. On my end, I don't have any problems with shoveling,"

While crews handle the roads, the state is reminding residents to take precautions when clearing snow at home, especially since shoveling can put serious strain on the body.

Officials recommend:

• Checking with your doctor before shoveling if you have a medical condition or don’t exercise regularly.
• Dressing in layers with water-proof clothing, gloves or mittens, a hat and warm socks. Wear shoes with slip-resistant soles to avoid falls.
• Watching for ice patches and uneven surfaces, and making sure scarves or hats don’t block your vision.
• Clearing snow early and often to avoid lifting heavy, packed snow. Take frequent breaks and drink water to prevent dehydration.
• Pushing snow when possible instead of lifting.
• Avoiding twisting motions, such as throwing snow over your shoulder, which can strain your back.
• Using a shovel that fits your height and strength to reduce stress on your body.

If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or other signs of a heart attack, seek emergency care immediately.

Columbia city officials said snowplows push snow in the direction of travel, which can sometimes re-block driveways. The city advises clearing a small area at the end of your driveway before a plow passes, which can help reduce the amount of snow you’ll need to shovel again later.