Local public works agencies prepare for winter storm

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A winter storm warning in Mid-Missouri remains in effect through 6 p.m. Sunday.

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team is showing intense cold begins on Friday, while snow can accumulate throughout the area. Roughly 8 inches of snow could fall in Columbia on Saturday, with more snow expected in the southern region of our viewing area. The impending weather led to Gov. Mike Kehoe to call a state of emergency as a precaution.

Public works departments in Columbia, Jefferson City, Audrain County, and California said they are ready for the snow and frigid conditions.

Columbia

In the days leading up to a winter storm, Columbia crews inspect trucks and equipment to ensure they’re ready for deployment, according to spokesman John Ogan.

Crews check critical systems like hydraulics, plow blades, lights and fluids, since keeping trucks in service is essential to treating roads and supporting emergency response.

During winter events, plow crews typically work 12-hour shifts to maintain continuous coverage for as long as conditions require. Staffing plans remain flexible and may change as the forecast and road conditions evolve.

According to Ogan, the department is operating with 35 snowplow-capable vehicles, including 14 tandem axle trucks, four single axle trucks, 12 one-ton trucks and five class five trucks.

The City’s salt dome currently holds about 4,500 tons of salt after deliveries made last month and earlier this month. Officials say that supply is expected to be sufficient for the remainder of the winter season.

“Road salt is generally effective down to around 15 degrees,” Ogan said. “When temperatures drop into the single digits, salt becomes much less effective, and plowing snow from the roadway is often the most effective treatment. Crews adjust strategies based on pavement temperatures and conditions to use materials where they will provide the most benefit.”

Jefferson City

Jefferson City Public Works will have a 30-person crew on call throughout the weekend. According to city spokeswoman Molly Bryan, preparations began earlier this week to ensure all plows, equipment and vehicles are ready.

Crew members will be staying overnight on Saturday, covering 25 snow routes that span more than 200 miles of roads.

"We are absolutely prepared with enough salts to be able to take care this weekend," Bryan said. "But once again, salt isn't going to be effective like you've seen in other snow melts it really works the best the closer the temperature is to freezing. When it drops as low as it's projected to, it's really just there for traction."

The department is coordinating with Jefferson City Flying Service to monitor flight arrivals and departures at Jefferson City Memorial Airport, ensuring the runway remains clear for passengers since it cannot be salted, according to Bryan.

Bryan encourages drivers to avoid the roads unless travel is necessary.

"The city is prepared and committed to working though the weekend to try to make things as safe as possible for people to travel if they need to but we encourage people to stay home if they are able to," Bryan said.

Cole County

Cole County Public Works shared on social media that crews will be fully staffed for most of the storm and will be deployed as needed throughout the weekend.

The department similarly warned that road treatments may be ineffective due to extremely cold temperatures.

"Paved roads will have priority over gravel roads." the department stated in a press release. It takes approximately four hours for some of our trucks to make it through their snow route. Once it quits snowing and we have paved roads passable, then we will start on gravel roads."

Public Works will operate 23 snow routes and plans to use a range of equipment.

Audrian County

Audrain County Emergency Management worked with local agencies Thursday to prepare for the incoming winter weather.

"We are working with out municipalities right now, staging, winter equipment and snow removal equipment. We've provided a location that's a little more centrally located so that we don't have to do a lot of running around," said Carl Donaldson, Director for Emergency Management for Audrian County.

Donaldson said the county and the City of Mexico are fully staffed, but smaller towns like Rush Hill, Benton City, Martinsburg and Laddonia may not have full crews available this weekend.

Community R-6 High School will not be in session Friday due to extreme temperatures. Instead, students will have an Alternate Methods of Instruction Day.

Emergency management officials are also working with the Red Cross in case extended sheltering is needed.

"In the case of an extended power interruption or other disaster related incident and for all those updates, residents can follow our Facebook page," Donaldson said.

California

Victor Maurer, Street Superintendent for the City of California, said the department is following its normal storm procedures ahead of this weekend’s weather.

“We’ve got our trucks ready — sand beds in the back and plows on the front,” Maurer said.

Four workers will be on call, with three additional staff members on standby from the parks department if needed. Crews will use a sand and salt mixture to treat the roads, with Maurer noting the sand helps provide extra traction for vehicles.

The department said it has “more than enough” salt on hand for the storm.

In total, the city has three dump trucks with beds, an F-550 with a dump and cinder bed, and a wheel loader. All vehicles are equipped with plows.

Moberly

On Dec. 1, Moberly said they used 250 tons of a salt and sand mix to treat the roads from the snow storm that weekend.

Scott McGarvey with the City of Moberly said the city was never close to running out of material.

"We can house up to 600 tons of mixed product onsite in preparation for snow operations." he said. "We were fully stocked the week after that event in December."

The City has standing orders for raw materials from the Hutchinson, Kansas salt mine and the Missouri River sand plant, which are filled as needed throughout the winter season.

Thee city said the materials used this weekend will be restocked next week.