MoDOT urges caution as winter storm creates hazardous road conditions
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri Department of Transportation is urging drivers to stay off the roads if possible as a winter storm moves through the area.
MoDOT’s Central District has all available Mid-Missouri snowplow operators working 12-hour shifts until major roads are cleared. According to MoDOT spokesperson Marcia Johnson, strong winds as of Tuesday night are causing whiteout conditions, particularly around the Lake of the Ozarks and along the Interstate 44 corridor.
Tractor-trailers have contributed to the hazardous conditions. The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office said it has already responded to multiple incidents and is advising people to avoid I-44. Johnson added that a multi-vehicle crash closed westbound I-44 for much of the day, forcing traffic to be diverted at Exit 11.
With temperatures in the single digits Tuesday night, MoDOT says the chemicals used to treat roads are less effective. However, because the storm has primarily produced light, fluffy snow, Johnson said pretreating the roads has not been as necessary as it would be for heavier, wetter snow.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Troop F -- which covers most of Mid-Missouri -- wrote on its social media Tuesday that from midnight-8 p.m., it had responded to 72 calls for service, 20 stranded motorists, 19 non-injury crashes and two injury crashes.
— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) February 19, 2025
Troop F Storm Totals For Tuesday
Midnight - 8:00 p.m. , Troop F handled:
Calls For Service: 72
Stranded Motorists: 20
Non-Injury Crashes: 19
Injury Crashes: 2
Fatal Crashes: 0
If you’re able to do so, please stay home, stay safe and stay warm. pic.twitter.com/nGZZvahH2u
Columbia winter weather updates
Meanwhile, the City of Columbia says that it replaced a 25-man crew that had been plowing the roads since 7 a.m. Tuesday, with a 20-person crew that started at 7 p.m.
Under Columbia’s snow removal policy, the city’s target goal is to have all the roads in good condition within 88 hours. Crews will focus on priority roads before turning their attention to residential areas.
Here’s how the winter weather is affecting services in the city this week:
- Go COMO Bus Service: Bus service operated as normal on Tuesday and is expected to continue running on Feb. 19. Riders are encouraged to use the ETA SPOT app for service updates.
- Curbside Recycling and Trash Collection: Curbside recycling collection has been canceled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday due to the frigid temperatures. However, Wednesday’s residential curbside refuse collection is expected to run as scheduled.
Ward 2 Councilwoman Lisa Meyer told ABC 17 News on Monday there was frustration and confusion regarding trash pickup during the last winter storm in January.
Some roll carts then were unable to be picked up because they were placed on the street as they would be under normal weather conditions. However, during snow events, trash cans and parked cars hinder the snowplow operator's ability to clear streets from curb to curb.
To ensure effective snow removal, Columbia is asking residents to avoid placing trash carts in the street, instead, placing carts at the edge of the sidewalk, at least 8 feet away from parked cars and mailboxes, with wheels pointed toward the home.
