City of Columbia responding to winter weather, Feb. 17

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(COLUMBIA, MO) - The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter weather advisory from midnight to 6 a.m. Tuesday , Feb. 18 with total snow accumulations are expected 2 and 4 inches. These conditions could impact the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes.

The NWS has also issued a cold weather alert beginning 9 p.m. Feb. 17 through noon Feb. 18 with wind chills as low as 20 degrees below 0. The NWS warns that these conditions could result in hypothermia or frostbite if precautions are not taken.

As winter weather can be unpredictable, residents are encouraged to closely monitor the forecast and changing road conditions throughout the mid-Missouri area. Updates will be posted on the City's various social media accounts. Information and updates are also available at CoMo.gov.

Public Works
Contact: John Ogan, [email protected]create new email

An 18-person City of Columbia Public Works snowplow crew began work at 5 a.m. Monday and has continued plowing priority roads throughout the day.

In preparation for the winter weather system expected to arrive around midnight, a crew of 25 snowplow operators will begin an overnight shift starting at 7 p.m. Feb. 17. Crews will focus primarily on pretreating and then plowing priority roadways to maintain safe travel conditions. Another crew of 25 snowplow operators will relieve them starting at 7 a.m. Feb. 18.

Accumulations are expected to reach 2 inches early Tuesday. To assist with snow removal, drivers are strongly encouraged to avoid parking on priority roads starting Monday night. Priority roads are marked with red, white and blue signs reading "No Parking When Snow Is Over 2 Inches." You can also view the Street and Snow Route Priority Viewer map at CoMoSnow.com to check if your street is affected.

Snow is expected to continue throughout the day Tuesday, with gusty winds creating blowing and drifting snow, potentially reducing visibility.

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Non-essential travel Tuesday is strongly discouraged. If you must travel, please observe the following safety tips:
  • Slow down and allow extra stopping distance, especially on bridges and overpasses.
  • Use headlights in low visibility. Keep them turned on, even during the day.
  • Give plows plenty of space and stay at least 100 feet behind snow removal equipment. If you must pass snowplows, do so with extreme caution and never do so on the right.
  • Clear all snow and ice from your vehicle. This includes windows, mirrors, headlights and taillights for maximum visibility.
  • Check your tires. Proper treads and inflation improve traction on slick roads.
Public Works crews will continue monitoring conditions and treating roads as needed. We want to thank drivers for taking sensible precautions to keep everyone safe.

Go COMO Transit
Contact: John Ogan, [email protected]create new email

Go COMO fixed-route bus service will make every effort to operate on schedule Tuesday, Feb. 18. Riders are encouraged to use the ETA SPOT app to track the real-time location of their bus and receive service updates. Notifications will also be shared through the Alerts.CoMo.gov system, available via text, email or voice call.

Paratransit services will operate on a case-by-case basis. Customers will be contacted directly if there are issues accessing their homes. Paratransit riders should exercise caution when traveling to bus stops or pickup points, as paths may be icy or snow-covered.

Utilities
Contact: Jason West, [email protected]create new email

Residential curbside refuse customers with Tuesday collections were asked to have carts out on Monday for collection in anticipation of a stoppage. If your refuse or recycling did not get picked up as scheduled, please leave your cart curbside and let us know by reporting it to the Contact Center at 573.874.CITY (2489) or online at CoMo.gov/city-managers-office/report-an-issue.

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Curbside recycling collection has been canceled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week due to the frigid temperatures forecast for those days.

To help ensure efficient trash collection and snow removal, please follow these guidelines on roll cart placement: CoMo.gov/city-source/december-2024/roll-cart-placement-winter-weather.

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services
Contact: Austin Krohn, [email protected]create new email

Several warming centers and shelters plan to open regardless of weather conditions. However, due to changing conditions, it is recommended to check with the location before going.

Road conditions may impact Animal Control response times. If it is safe, please hold on to loose dogs until Animal Control can arrive.

Columbia Police Department
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Columbia Police ask that residents slow down, increase distance between cars, accelerate and decelerate slowly, wear a seatbelt and take all other precautions to keep yourself and others safe.

Residents should not leave vehicles running while unattended. While you may be trying to warm your vehicle or defrost your windshield, a vehicle left running unattended for even a few minutes is at risk for theft.

Office of Sustainability
Contact: Michael J. Heimos, [email protected]create new email

The Office of Sustainability reminds residents that the over-application of salt during winter weather is not just wasteful, but also has a significant impact on our local waterways. Excess salt runs off of driveways and sidewalks and into local waterways, posing a threat to our ecosystem. A little goes a long way! A general guideline is to use no more than 1 to 1.5 cups per every two parking lot spaces or 10 sidewalk squares. Thank you for doing your part to protect our creeks, streams, and lakes from the overuse of salt.

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