Jefferson City prepared for incoming snow, but plans open to change

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson City Public Works tells ABC 17 News it's confident about the plan it has in place for the upcoming snowstorm rolling into Missouri this weekend.

Materials, manpower and snow plows are in no shortage according to Britt Smith, Operations Division Director for Jefferson City's Public Works Department. However, its the city's plan of how to attack the snow and ice as it rolls in that Smith says is ever-evolving.

"We believe we've got a good plan that is fully staffed, but obviously the snow hasn't started falling yet, so we'll have to see exactly how it hits," said Smith. "The duration of this event is pretty long, what is being forecasted. So that's trying on both the equipment, but more importantly, trying on the personnel."

According to Smith, Public Works decided to not pre-treat Jefferson City's roads due to rain predicted to precede the incoming snow and ice.

"If we put pre-treatment out there now, it's just going to get washed away. So our plan is to have, you know, when we see those temperatures getting down close to freezing, that's when we'll probably start treatment," Smith said.

Smith also asked residents in the capital city to stay home during the weekend if at all possible to help the snow plow crews get the roads cleared quicker. He adds if you are home you may want to keep your car parked in the driveway or garage for its safety.

 "If we're talking about six inches of snow in your cars in the street, it's going to get plowed full of a lot of snow and that's a lot of work to get it off. So if you can get that off the street, we'll make sure we get it plowed as close to the curb as we can," Smith said.

Jefferson City Public Works does have a plan in place with local and county fire, medical and law enforcement in the case of emergencies during the winter weather.

ABC 17's Stormtrack Weather Alert Day is set to end Monday morning. You can check closures and cancelations here.