City of Columbia winter weather update, Jan. 3, noon

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(COLUMBIA, MO) -

The City of Columbia is continuing to monitor and prepare to respond to winter weather that could impact the mid-Missouri area beginning Saturday, Jan. 4.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm watch in effect from the evening of Saturday, Jan. 4 through the night of Sunday, Jan. 5. The NWS forecasts that heavy mixed precipitation is possible, with total snow and sleet accumulations between 4 and 11 inches.

The NWS reports that power outages and tree damage are likely due to ice and that "travel could be nearly impossible." The NWS also says that hazardous conditions "could impact the Monday morning commute."

City resources will be utilized to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. The Public Works department is prepping snowplows, materials and equipment; monitoring local, state and regional forecasts; and preparing a response plan. City of Columbia Utilities will have additional crews on standby for the potential of downed power lines.

As winter weather can be unpredictable, residents are encouraged to closely monitor the forecast and changing road conditions throughout the mid-Missouri area. Residents may want to run errands and shop for groceries early to avoid travel during inclement weather.

Updates will be posted on the City's various social media accounts. Information and updates are also available at CoMo.gov.

City of Columbia Public Works

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

City of Columbia Public Works staff are closely monitoring weather forecasts and developing response plans to ensure City roadways are plowed and treated effectively. Pretreatment operations are already in progress. Further details about our response, including the number of snowplow drivers and their scheduled deployment times, will be shared in an upcoming press release.

Once snowplows begin working in residential neighborhoods, you can visit CoMoSnow.com to access the Street and Snow Route Priority Viewer map. We will announce when the map becomes active. At that time, it will show real-time updates of plowed areas, refreshing every 15 minutes.

Residents can assist crews by avoiding unnecessary travel and by refraining from parking on priority roads, which helps snowplows work more efficiently for the benefit of everyone. To receive an alert when snow accumulations reach 2 inches and parking is no longer allowed on priority routes, register an account at Alerts.CoMo.gov. Options are available for residents to receive alert notifications by text, email or automated phone call.

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Residents are also kindly asked not to pass or tailgate plow trucks while they are in operation. If you must travel during an active winter weather event, please drive slowly, keep your headlights on at all times and give plenty of following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

Go COMO Transit

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

Go COMO bus service will operate normally Saturday, Jan. 4. Evaluations for fixed-route and Paratransit services will be conducted Sunday, Jan. 5, with a decision announced that day regarding operations for Monday, Jan. 6. Riders can stay updated by visiting CoMo.gov and clicking the Winter Storm Information banner or by signing up for Go COMO Transit text alerts at Alerts.CoMo.gov.

Paratransit users should plan ahead, as significant snow accumulation may delay Paratransit operations until Wednesday, Jan. 8. We encourage users to make necessary preparations in advance. In the event of an emergency, please dial 911.

City of Columbia Utilities

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

City of Columbia Utilities will have additional crews on standby for the potential of downed power lines. The strong winds and weight of snow or ice on power lines and tree limbs could cause sporadic power outages.

City of Columbia Utilities also recognizes the potential for water main breaks because of low temperatures that are forecast. In the case of a water main break occurring, crews are on standby and will work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Customers who come under a precautionary boil advisory will receive a hang tag.

At this time, the Solid Waste Utility expects to run trash and recycling collection routes Monday as scheduled. To help ensure that trash collection and snow removal can take place efficiently, please follow these guidelines on roll cart placement: CoMo.gov/city-source/december-2024/roll-cart-placement-winter-weather.

Columbia Police Department

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Columbia Police urge drivers to use caution during the projected winter weather. Slow down, increase distance between cars, accelerate and decelerate slowly, and wear a seatbelt. Be sure to clear your vehicle's windows of snow and ice before driving.

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Residents should also 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.

Columbia Fire Department

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If your facility has a wet pipe fire sprinkler system, make sure that it is in a heated area, maintaining a minimum temperature of 40 degrees fahrenheit or higher. Doing so prevents frozen pipes.

For facilities with dry pipe sprinkler systems, regularly inspect and drain all low point drains to prevent freeze-ups.

Residents are encouraged to inspect their heaters and ensure they are in optimal working conditions, as well as confirm that their riser rooms are properly heated to prevent freezes. Residents should also seal off any drafts from the exterior of their buildings, and any areas susceptible to cold drafts.

If you need the Fire Department dispatched to your location, please call 911 for emergencies and 311 for non-emergencies.

Columbia Regional Airport

Contact: Mike Parks, [email protected]create new email

Air travel may be impacted across the country due to winter storms. Passengers flying through Columbia Regional Airport (COU) can check their flight status at FlyCOU.com. Flight information is provided by the airlines and updated every 15 minutes. Also, remember to allow for extra time driving to the airport as local roads may also be impacted by the weather.

Public Health

Contact: Sarah Humm, [email protected]create new email

Several warming centers and shelters are planning to be open regardless of weather conditions. Due to changing conditions, it is recommended to check with the location before going.

Neighborhood Services

Contact: Leigh Kottwitz, [email protected]create new email

Residents are reminded to remove snow from sidewalks adjacent to the property they own or rent. Sidewalks are used by residents to get to school, work and shopping. The City appreciates the effort to keep our sidewalks accessible.

City of Columbia Office of Sustainability

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

The City of Columbia Office of Sustainability would like to remind residents of several tips when using salt. For best results, salt should be applied to cleared surfaces. Additionally, more salt does not mean more melting. It is recommended to use less than 4 pounds of salt per 1,000 square feet.

Following a winter weather event, residents are encouraged to sweep up any extra salt that is visible on dry pavement in order to avoid that salt being washed into local streams through a storm drain or ditch system.

Filed Under: Government, City
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