COLUMBIA, Mo. – The severe winter storm currently sweeping across the Midwestern United States has prompted multiple road closures and widespread warnings from transportation officials urging residents to stay off the roads. By Sunday morning, snow and ice had accumulated across many parts of Missouri and Kansas, making travel treacherous and raising concerns over road safety.
Boone County Joint Communication issued several road closure alerts on Sunday. The Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) traveler information map has indicated numerous roads covered with snow and ice. According to the alerts, 'RTE O and HWY UU closed from I-70 to Huntsdale due to incoming winter weather,' signifying the extent of the situation. On the same morning, more closures were reported, including Mick Deaver/Providence due to poor road conditions.
To facilitate snow removal, drivers in Columbia are advised to avoid parking on snow routes when accumulations reach two inches or more, with possible ticketing and towing measures being enforced. Columbia city officials emphasized their commitment to clearing snow by deploying 33 snowplow operators, who started working early Sunday. Their initial focus will remain on primary routes throughout the storm, aiming to restore safe conditions for all travelers.
Columbia Regional Airport also felt the impact, as all commercial American Airlines flights scheduled to land on Sunday were canceled, with hopes to resume operations the following day. The situation is underscored by the fact noted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which states, '24% of all yearly weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snow, slushy, or icy pavement.'
Statistics from the Missouri State Highway Patrol as of Sunday morning reported significant impacts from the storm: 668 service calls since the previous afternoon, 222 motorists assisted, and 176 vehicle crashes. Highway patrol officials persistently advise drivers to maintain increased following distances, use caution when maneuvering their vehicles, and to keep emergency supplies on hand, including blankets and food.
Meanwhile, St. Louis is seeing similar weather-related challenges. Reports indicated accumulating ice and snow making driving conditions increasingly hazardous by early afternoon, with expectations for continued deterioration as heavy snow and sleet approached. Conditions are expected to improve slightly later but may still pose risks well past sunset.
Crews across the Kansas City metropolitan area are working diligently to clear roads after enduring freezing rain and winter storm warnings. The cities have mobilized resources such as real-time tracking of snowplows for transparency and effective communication with residents concerned about road conditions.
Further compounding the situation, power outages have become widespread as heavy snow and ice accumulation have resulted in downed power lines. Evergy highlighted nearly 12,000 customers without power early Sunday morning, particularly affecting areas around Wichita.
Echoing the severity of the weather, the National Weather Service upgraded its warnings, citing blizzard conditions for several counties. Significant snowfall totals, reaching potentially over one foot, have been forecasted, particularly for northern regions, with strong winds causing widespread blowing snow and difficult travel. MoDOT Chief Safety and Operations Officer Becky Allmeroth warned drivers to 'avoid traveling until conditions improve sometime on Monday,' urging the public to heed these alerts.
Residents are encouraged to rely on emergency services, as response times may be delayed due to persistent poor weather conditions. MoDOT is working closely with the State Emergency Management Agency to coordinate efforts. The Missouri National Guard has also been deployed to assist where necessary.
Authorities have suggested various resources for motorists, such as checking MoDOT's Traveler Information Map for real-time road conditions and alerts. Meanwhile, hospitality services have stepped up; for example, Big Mama's Cafe is providing hot breakfast and coffee to workers dedicated to keeping the roads safe.
Moving forward, weather forecasts suggest the storm will continue through Sunday evening and potentially linger until early Monday, with windy conditions and cold temperatures exacerbated throughout the region. Missouri and Kansas remain on high alert as communities band together to navigate the impacts of this winter storm. Local governments and resources will be tested as residents cope with road conditions and outages during this challenging weather event.