Roads closed across Mid-Missouri due to snow
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Boone County Joint Communication sent out multiple road closure alerts Sunday due to the winter weather, urging drivers to either stay home or choose an alternate route.
Roads across Mid-Missouri were covered in snow and ice by Sunday morning. The Missouri Department of Transportation's traveler information map showed covered roads throughout the area.
"RTE O and HWY UU closed from I70 to Huntsdale due to incoming winter weather," BCJC said in an alert around 10 a.m. Saturday. "Roads will be barricaded and not treated."
"Mick Deaver/Providence is closed due to road conditions," BCJC said in an alert at 3 a.m. Sunday morning.
"Parking is prohibited on snow routes when accumulations are 2 inches or greater," BCJC said in an alert. "Please move vehicles off priority routes now to help clear roads safely."
For Columbia residents, the city has a map showing which streets are first-, second- and third-priority snow routes. The map also shows which roads MoDOT is in charge of plowing.
According to a press release from the City of Columbia, 33 snowplow operators clocked in at 7 a.m. Sunday and are expecting to focus on primary routes throughout the storm.
Once expected snow accumulations reach 2 inches or more, vehicles parked on the street may be ticketed and towed to make room for snowplows.
City of Columbia Utilities will also have additional crews on standby for possible power outages and some residents may receive a precautionary boil advisory if there is a chance of frozen pipes causing a water main break.
The Columbia Regional Airport will also not have any commercial American Airlines flights scheduled to land Sunday. According to the press release, crews are working to resume flights Monday.
According to the US Department of Transportation, 24% of all yearly weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snow, slushy, or icy pavement. The department adds that in the snow, average driving speeds decline by 30 to 40% in snowy or slushy conditions.
As of Sunday morning, in an X post from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, since Saturday afternoon, there have been 668 calls for service, 222 motorist assists and 176 crashes.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol tells drivers to increase their following distance to five seconds or more when behind another car.
If a car begins to skid, the driver should take their foot off the gas and avoid jerking or over-correcting the wheel. Instead, it's advised to gently turn the wheel in the direction the car is skidding.
Drivers with standard should pump the brakes gently while drivers with anti-lock brakes should apply steady pressure.
If a vehicle is stuck, the department tells drivers to use a light touch on the gas, not spin their wheels, and have sand or cat litter in the car to help give the wheels traction.
Drivers should also keep at least half a tank of gas, a shovel, a blanket and food and water in their car in case of an emergency.
MoDOT advises drivers to wear a seatbelt, keep their lights on and keep their mirrors and windows clean of snow or ice.
In the event of a crash, or becoming stranded, the Missouri State Highway Patrol advises people to call the Missouri State Highway Patrol emergency number or dial *55 on a cellphone to call the nearest troop headquarters.
Columbia's Big Mama's Cafe will also offer hot breakfast and coffee to road, city, and utility workers from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.
"Thank you for all that you do to keep our roads safe," said Big Mama's Cafe's Facebook post on the event.
