Minor injuries reported in Boone County crash
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
UPDATE 6 P.M.: Boone County Fire Protection District first responders tweeted that one person had minor injuries in a crash north of Columbia.
The district tweeted a photo showing its response to a crash on Route VV just before 6 p.m. Firefighters advised drivers to continue to use caution Wednesday night and Thursday.
UPDATE 5:30 P.M.: Officials say Rock Quarry Road has closed for the second time in a day.
The road was closed Wednesday morning after several slide-offs. Boone County Joint Communications said in an alert just before 5:30 p.m. that the road had closed again "due to deteriorating conditions."
It wasn't clear how long the closure would last.
UPDATE 4:35 P.M.: State highways in some parts of Mid-Missouri are starting to clear after hours of snowfall.
The Missouri Department of Transportation's traveler information map showed several area highways had cleared after being snow-covered earlier Wednesday. Large sections of Interstate 70 and Highway 63 were labeled clear.
Precipitation continued to fall but had changed in some areas to rain or a wintry mix. Roads in the northern part of Mid-Missouri, where snow continued to fall, were labeled partially covered, including Highway 63 north of Boone County and Highway 24.
Some public schools, including Blair Oaks and Marshall, had called a late start for Thursday. A full list of closings, late starts and other school and community announcements is available here.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F region reported at 2 p.m. that troopers were sent to 105 calls, including 25 crashes.
UPDATE 2:15 P.M.: Westbound lanes of Business Loop 70 in Columbia were closed temporarily at Rangeline Street after a single-vehicle crash.
A crossover SUV hit a pole and overturned, police at the scene said. Two people were in the vehicle but got out on their own. Police weren't immediately sure whether the crash was weather-related.
Lanes were reopened before 2:15 p.m.
Many area roads were covered in slush Wednesday afternoon. Rain and snow were expected to continue with precipitation changing to all snow Wednesday night.
The Missouri Department of Transportation's traveler information map showed several state highways were covered or partially covered.
UPDATE 1:30 PM: According to Columbia Public Works, Rock Quarry Road is back open for traffic.
Crews across mid-Missouri are continuing to treat roads. Adam Pulley, the MoDOT Central District spokesperson, said there are 225 crews out across the district who will be out until the system ends.
Pulley said the salt and pre-treatment material is likely to be ineffective.
"However much we put down is likely going to wash off," Pulley said.
UPDATE 11:30 AM: No one was injured but four to five vehicles slid off Rock Quarry Road on Wednesday, causing officials to close the street.
The road remained closed at Stadium Drive on Wednesday morning. Columbia police said once a wrecker removed the crash cars city plow crews would treat the road.
Roads around the area were covered or partially covered with snow before noon Wednesday as heavy snow continued to fall.
ORIGINAL: Boone County officials warned drivers Wednesday morning to slow down because of snowy roads.
Boone County Joint Communications said in an alert that "road conditions are deteriorating due to weather."
Heavy snow was falling in Columbia and other parts of Mid-Missouri by mid-morning. The Missouri Department of Transportation's traveler information map showed several state highways in the region were partially covered with snow, including sections of Interstate 70 and Highway 63.
Several crashes were reported, including on those major highways. One crash shut down Rock Quarry Road in Columbia at Stags Way.
Columbia Public Schools on Tuesday night called for early dismissal Wednesday and several Mid-Missouri schools followed suit before noon Wednesday.
Full list of closings and early dismissals
An ABC 17 News Stormtrack Weather Alert Day continues through Friday. Up to 5 inches of snow is possible in the northern part of Mid-Missouri with only a trace to 1 inch expected further south. Extreme cold is expected to set in Thursday, with air temperatures in the single digits and teens and wind chills below 0 degrees possible.
The city of Columbia said a warming shelter will be open overnight at the Wabash Bus Station downtown. Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital will be open as an overnight warming shelter for veterans Wednesday and Thursday, as well.
A winter weather advisory remains in effect through early Thursday.
Check back for regular updates and watch ABC 17 News at 5 and 6.
