MSHP responds to more than 800 calls for service as snow continues through Sunday
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Snow picked back up Sunday morning, adding at least one to two inches to already snow-packed roads.
Columbia got about 5 inches of snow accumulation, and Jefferson City saw 5 to 7 inches in some areas, according to the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team.
Before the brunt of the snowfall, Boone County Joint Communications reported several crashes on Saturday evening, including on major roads like Rangeline Road, Providence Road, Highway 63 and the Interstate 70 connector.
According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F post on X, by 8 a.m. Sunday, troopers reported:
858 calls for service
143 stranded drivers
144 non-injury crashes
23 injury crashes
One deadly crash (non-weather related)
MSHP said yellow crime scene tape left on crashed or abandoned cars means the wreck has been checked by law enforcement.
MoDOT Central District urged travelers to avoid travel if possible to give MoDOT snowplow crews room to work. The MoDot Traveler map also reported major roads like Highway 63, Route 50 and I-70 covered around 5 a.m. Sunday.
For drivers who do get out and about Sunday, AAA recommends checking tires are properly inflated, keeping at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times and increasing the following distance to the car in front of you.
If people end up stranded out on the roads, AAA says to stay with the vehicle as it provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate stranded drivers. Officials also suggest running the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill in order to conserve gasoline.
Staying warm in the dangerous cold is also extremely important. Use whatever is available to insulate the body from the cold. AAA says it’s best to have an easily-accessible emergency kit packed in the car that includes a blanket. People can also use floor mats or other similar items to stay insulated in an emergency.
The State Emergency Management Agency mentions important items in an emergency car kit include a snow and ice scraper, a shovel, a radio with batteries, bottled water and snacks, a first aid kit, and a cone or bright-colored flag to use in case of being stranded.
Sand, shingles, and cat litter are also recommended materials to use under tires in the event of a car getting stuck in the snow.
Several churches called off Sunday service times. Mexico Public Schools, Iberia R-V Schools and Central Methodist University’s campus will be closed on Monday. Meals on Wheels of Columbia will also not be delivering.