Greitens opens emergency operations center, Boone County prepares for storm

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch from late Thursday night through Saturday for much of Missouri. Significant ice could down trees and power lines, leading to power outages. The weather service continues to refine its forecast for the timing of the storm and possible accumulation totals.

In response, Gov. Greitens’ office released a statement saying that he issued Executive Order No. 17-05 this afternoon, activating the Missouri State Emergency Operations Center.

The Boone County Office of Emergency Management sent out a release, urging residents to have enough food, water and medication to get through the next few days after the potential storms this weekend.

If there is a loss of power, make sure to have food that does not require cooking or the use of electric utilities. In addition, pet owners should have enough food and fresh, unfrozen water for their pets.

Prepare for bad road conditions on Friday and Saturday. Boone County suggests that residents should avoid travel because of the ice.

Columbia Public Works will have an eight-person crew scheduled to report Thursday morning at 4:00 a.m. as there is a slight possibility for isolated slickness. Crews will be on call to respond with road treatments or for removing debris from the roadway caused by wind.