The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is urging drivers to avoid traveling on roadways affected by Winter Storm Blair, which has coated much of the state with hazardous snow and ice. The storm, which has posed significant challenges for motorists, will continue to impact road conditions through Monday, January 6, 2024.
According to MoDOT, winter precipitation is expected to linger, complicate efforts to clear the roads, and keep visibility dangerously low, particularly as wind gusts and blowing snow continue to make travel hazardous. "Motorists in the areas of snow and ice accumulation cannot let their guard down once this precipitation ends," said MoDOT Chief Safety and Operations Officer Becky Allmeroth, emphasizing the importance of staying off the roads during this severe weather.
MoDOT has deployed approximately 1,500 snow trucks statewide, with crews working 12-hour shifts to address the snow and ice accumulation. But even with these efforts, conditions remain perilous. Crews will require most of Monday to restore major routes to good condition. Despite these efforts, many of Missouri's nearly 34,000 miles of highways remain covered with snow, and as such, travel is deemed "impossible" by the National Weather Service.
Warnings from MoDOT and the National Weather Service (NWS) have been clear: traveling remains unsafe. Cpl. Dallas Thompson with the Missouri State Highway Patrol acknowledged the dire state of roadways, stating, "They're not in good shape," as emergency services responded to numerous incidents of stranded motorists.
The wintry conditions are exacerbated by bitterly cold temperatures, which are expected to remain below freezing for several days. This has rendered clearing operations more difficult, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol reporting significant numbers of calls for assistance. During the height of the storm on Sunday, from early morning through the evening, St. Louis authorities responded to 50 assistance calls, 20 non-injury accidents, and another 65 crashes, some resulting in injuries.
One notable incident involved an elderly man who fell from his car after it slid off the road and was found soaked and suffering from hypothermia after several hours. These instances highlight the very real dangers posed by winter weather.
MoDOT closed sections of Interstate 29 due to the poor conditions, but many roads remain open albeit treacherously slick and snow-covered. Motorists are still warned to remain vigilant and reconsider their need to travel as plows struggle to clear the roads, particularly on on- and off-ramps where snow accumulation has made navigation nearly impossible. This has led to some frustrating experiences for drivers who attempted to use local highways.
This time around, across the Mississippi River, road conditions are no different. The Illinois Department of Transportation has reported similar challenges with only about 25% of their roads cleared by Monday morning, as high winds have complicated plowing efforts. The situation remains fluid as officials work tirelessly to keep roadways safe.
Many schools across Missouri are closed today due to the blizzard conditions, with classes moved online at several universities, including the University of Missouri and Washington University. Similarly, the cold weather has led to the cancellation of train stops on the Missouri River Runner, with no guaranteed resumption of service on Tuesday.
People are encouraged to check the latest road conditions through MoDOT's Traveler Information Map, accessible via their official website or social media platforms. This also applies to those needing to fly; significant delays and cancellations are expected at several airports including St. Louis Lambert International, Kansas City International, and others.
Power outages have also posed additional challenges, especially for residents across multiple counties including Cape Girardeau, Perry County, and the Lake of the Ozarks area, where downed trees and power lines have hampered recovery efforts.
Missouri's National Guard has been activated to assist with managing the fallout from the winter storm, helping to clear fallen trees and assisting stranded drivers. With guaranteed freezing temperatures and the evidence of the continuing storms on the horizon, residents are advised to stay safe and limit their travel.
Drivers are reminded to keep the contact number for emergencies—dialing *55 connects directly with the Missouri State Highway Patrol—and to maintain good communication about changing weather conditions as they await the region's inevitable recovery.