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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">December 21, 2022</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Sydney Olsen
<br />Public Information Officer
<br />City Manager's Office
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7438
<br />Sydney.Olsen@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">City of Columbia monitoring for chance of winter weather beginning Dec. 22</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - A major winter storm is expected to arrive in the Columbia area Thursday morning with heavy snow and wind gusts as high as 40 mph expected, according to the National Weather Service. Snow accumulations could reach up to 2 inches and dangerously cold wind chills could reach as low as 35 degrees Fahrenheit below zero.<br /><br />City officials will utilize all available resources in responding to the storm and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our community members. <br /><br />Updates will continue to be posted to CoMo.gov, as well as the City's various social media accounts. <br /><br /><br /><strong>Cancellations/Postponements:</strong><br /><br />Stephens Lake Park clinic (Dec. 22), rescheduled for Dec. 29.<br /><br /><br /><strong>City of Columbia Public Works</strong><br /><em><strong>Contact: John Ogan, John.Ogan@CoMo.gov</strong></em><br /><br />A 30-person plow crew with the Cit
y of Columbia Public Works department will report for duty at 5 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, to respond to the approach of a winter weather event. Their primary focus at that time will be on treating first and second priority roads.<br /><br />Crews have been pretreating areas such as bridges, intersections, hills and curves this week with salt and salt brine. These pretreatments are used to help prevent a bond from forming between the snow and the street, potentially reducing slickness and aiding in its removal by snow plows. Salt tends to lose effectiveness at 15 degrees or below, and temperatures are expected to begin to drop quickly late in the morning Thursday. Once temperatures fall below 15 degrees, physical plowing of the snow will be the primary method used by crews to treat the roads.<br /><br />Once snow accumulations reach 2 inches or greater, vehicles are required to be removed from all first and second priority roads. This critical ordinance allows our snow plow driv
ers the ability to perform their jobs more quickly and safely for everyone. Motorists can identify priority snow routes by looking for the red, white and blue signage or by checking the priority viewer map at CoMoSnow.com. To be notified by text, email or phone when accumulations reach 2 inches or greater and vehicles must be moved, please register for CoMo Snow alerts at Alerts.CoMo.gov.<br /><br />If possible, please refrain from traveling during this and all active winter weather events. The New Year’s Eve holiday weather is expected to be more favorable and if residents are able to delay their holiday plans to the following weekend, we ask that they consider doing so. If you must travel, please exercise prudent winter weather driving techniques such as going slowly, increasing following distance and giving yourself extra time for your trip. If you encounter a snowplow while driving, please give it room and do not attempt to pass it. <br /><br /><br /><str
ong>Go COMO Transit</strong><br /><em><strong>Contact: John Ogan, John.Ogan@CoMo.gov</strong></em><br /><br />Go COMO, Columbia’s transit service, is expected to operate fixed route service as normal at the beginning of the day Thursday, Dec. 22. To be made immediately aware of changes to bus service, please register for Go COMO Transit text, email or phone notifications at Alerts.CoMo.gov. Service updates will also be posted on Go COMO’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as on the announcement section of the Go COMO app. <br /><br /><br /><strong>City of Columbia Utilities</strong><br /><em><strong>Contact: Matt Nestor, Matthew.Nestor@CoMo.gov</strong></em><br /><br />The Solid Waste Utility will run residential curbside refuse collection routes Thursday and Friday as scheduled. The Utility, however, has canceled curbside recycling collection. All residential collection crews will be assigned to refuse collection routes to reduce the number of routes ea
ch crew will work and limit workers’ exposure to the weather. The Utility takes the safety of crews seriously and will continue to monitor the weather and make adjustments to the schedule as needed. Download the CoMo Recycle and Trash app to receive notifications about schedule changes.<br /><br />Customers can take their recycling material to one of our drop-off centers or set it at the curb on their next scheduled collection day.<br /><br />City of Columbia Utilities will have additional crews on standby for the potential of downed power lines. The strong winds and weight of snow and ice on power lines and tree limbs could cause sporadic power outages. <br /><br />City of Columbia Utilities also recognizes the potential for water main breaks because of extreme 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.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Columbia Police Department</strong><br /><em><strong>Contact: Christian Tabak, PolicePIO@CoMo.gov</strong></em><br /><br />Columbia Police headquarters will be open Thursday, Dec. 22, and officers will continue responding to calls as usual.<br /><br />Residents are encouraged to closely monitor the forecast and changing road conditions throughout the mid-Missouri area. Consider running errands and shopping for groceries early to avoid travel during inclement weather. <br /><br />The Department urges drivers to use extreme caution if travel is necessary. 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services</strong><br /><em><strong>Contact: Ryan Sheehan, Ryan.Sheehan@CoMo.gov </strong></em><br /><br />Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS), 1005 W. Worley St., will be closed to the public Thursday, Dec. 22. <br /><br />Animal Control will respond to extreme emergencies only, such as a vicious dog running loose, a gravely injured animal or a bat inside a home. Reports can be made by calling 573.449.1888. Response times may be delayed depending on road conditions.<br /><br />WIC and clinic staff were able to reach many residents with appointments to reschedule. Anyone with questions about WIC can email WIC@CoMo.gov or call 573.874.7384 on Friday. Anyone with questions about the clinic can email ClinicSupport@CoMo.gov or call 573.874.7249 on Friday.<br /><br />Residents seeking social services can call 573.817.6430 or email Socia
lServices@CoMo.gov.<br /><br />Immediate printing of birth and death certificates will be unavailable while the building is closed. Residents can visit vitalchek.com to order online.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Parks and Recreation </strong><br /><em><strong>Contact: Tammy Miller, Tammy.Miller@CoMo.gov</strong></em><br /><br />Columbia Parks and Recreation staff are temporarily closing all parks and trails beginning Wednesday, Dec. 21, due to the forecast of extremely cold temperatures over the next several days.<br /><br />The Parks and Recreation Department has several heated restrooms that normally remain open through the winter, however, the heaters in these restrooms are not adequate to prevent the restroom plumbing, valves, and fixtures from freezing and causing damage.<br /><br />If temperatures start to increase, staff plans to begin reopening restrooms Tuesday, Dec. 27.<br /><br />For more information, call Parks and Recreation at 573.874.7460.</div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; 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 equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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