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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 105%;">CITY OF COLUMBIA, MISSOURI<br />P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<h2 style="font-size: 180%;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h2>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">January 12, 2019</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 35px; font-size: 120%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Steven Sapp
<br />Community Relations Director
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7257
<br />Steven.Sapp@CoMo.gov
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<br />Brian Adkisson
<br />Communications and Marketing Manager
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7330
<br />Brian.Adkisson@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:145%;"><h3 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 170%;">Winter weather response update: Power outages may continue into Tuesday, Jan. 15</h3>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Due to the prolonged and nonstop snow, many City of Columbia Utilities customers may remain without power into Monday, Jan. 14 or Tuesday, Jan. 15, weather pending. Approximately 9,000 customers are currently without power while Columbia crews diligently work to restore power along with mutual aid crews sent from Macon, Waynesville, Palmyra and Rolla. Two contractors have also answered the call for mutual aid and are assisting in the effort. All City resources have been deployed and are being utilized at this time.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because the snow is heavy and wet, it is causing many issues. The crews are currently working on the larger outages, impacting large amounts of customers, caused by trees and limbs falling into distribution lines. They will then work on restoring power back to individual homes that have had single drop wires impacted by winter weather.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Customers can view the Outage Viewer to see where outages have been reported: </span><a href="http://outageviewer.gocolumbiamo.com"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://outageviewer.gocolumbiamo.com</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Anyone without power who does not see their neighborhood already marked on the map is encouraged to call 573.875.2555 to report the outage. Power outage safety tips during winter storm events are available at </span><a href="https://www.ready.gov/power-outages"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.ready.gov/power-outages</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. For information about the safety of food in a refrigerator or freezer during a power outage, please visit </span><a href="https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/refridg_food.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/refridg_food.html</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Columbia Public Works Department has crews out addressing the roads and are currently focused on first and second priority routes. More information about routes and updates can be found at CoMoSnow.com.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The American Red Cross will open an overnight emergency shelter at 7 p.m. Saturday at Broadway Christian Church, 2601 W. Broadway. Those without power are invited to stay overnight in the warm facility. Community members who will be going to the shelter are asked to bring any medications, personal items, toiletries and a pillow or blanket they would be comfortable using. The shelter is not able to accommodate pets.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The City of Columbia appreciates the patience and understanding of our customers during this storm that has been larger than we have experienced in recent years.</span></p></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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