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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;">January 26, 2026</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Sydney Olsen
<br />Engagement and Public Communications Manager
<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 winter weather update, Jan. 26, 8:30 a.m.</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a cold weather advisory in effect from until noon. Very cold wind chills as low as 21 below are expected.<br /><br />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 on the City’s website.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Public Works</strong><br />
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<li><strong>Contact:</strong> John Ogan, John.Ogan@CoMo.gov</li>
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<br />A 22-person City of Columbia Public Works snowplow crew reported for duty at 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26. Additional crew members from other City departments will be added throughout the day.<br /><br />Crews will begin focusing on residential neighborhood streets today. For this winter weather event, residential plowing will start in outlying areas of Columbia and progress inward toward the city center. This approach alternates from one winter weather event to the next.<br /><br />The Snow Clearing Progress Viewer at <a href="https://www.como.gov/public-works/street-division/comosnow/">CoMoSnow.com</a> has now been activated. This interactive map shows which sections of Columbia have been plowed, where plows are currently operating and which areas have not yet been plowed.<br /><br />If travel is necessary, drivers should keep speeds low, especially on unplowed neighborhood streets. Avoid tailgating and allow extra distance for stopping.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Go COMO Tra
nsit</strong><br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Contact:</strong> John Ogan, John.Ogan@CoMo.gov</li>
</ul>
<br />Due to winter weather conditions, Go COMO Paratransit service will not operate Monday, Jan. 26. Snowplows are only beginning to address residential streets today, making it unsafe to provide Paratransit trips.<br /><br />Paratransit service is expected to resume normally Tuesday, Jan. 27.<br /><br />Fixed-route bus service is expected to operate as normal, though delays are possible. Tiger Line service is also expected to operate normally.<br /><br />Riders are encouraged to use the ETA SPOT app to check for service messages and track buses in real time and to sign up for text alerts regarding service impacts at <a href="https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=COMOALERT">Alerts.CoMo.gov</a>.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Utilities</strong><br />
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<li><strong>Contact:</strong> Jason West, Jason.West@CoMo.gov</li>
</ul>
<br />Due to the frigid temperatures in the current forecast, Solid Waste has canceled all recycling collection for Monday, Jan. 26. Customers will need to hold on to their material until their next scheduled recycling collection.<br /><br />At this time, all collections will remain on schedule beginning with Tuesday, Jan. 27.<br /><br />To help ensure that trash collection and snow removal can take place efficiently, please follow <a href="https://www.como.gov/city-source/december-2024/roll-cart-placement-winter-weather/">these guidelines</a> on roll cart placement.<br /><br />Collection crews continue to respond to missed collections. If your refuse did not get picked up as scheduled, please let us know by reporting it to the Contact Center at 573.874.CITY (2489) or <a href="https://www.como.gov/city-managers-office/report-an-issue/">online</a>.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Sustainability</strong><br />
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<li><strong>Contact:</strong> Mike Heimos, Michael.Heimos@CoMo.gov</li>
</ul>
<br />Be salt smart this winter. Shovel first, use salt only when temperatures are above 15 degrees Fahrenheit, and apply sparingly to cleared surfaces. Sweep up excess salt to protect local waterways, and remember that some de-icers can irritate pets' paws-rinse their feet after walks. Small actions make a big difference for safety, our environment and our community.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Sidewalk Snow Removal</strong><br /><br />Residents are reminded that the City ordinance requires those who own or occupy property to keep sidewalks in front of, or adjacent to, their property free from snow and ice. Thanks for keeping our community safe and accessible for all.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Public Health</strong><br />
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<li><strong>Contact:</strong> Austin Krohn, Austin.Krohn@CoMo.gov</li>
</ul>
<br />Several <a href="https://www.como.gov/health/public-health-safety/warming-and-cooling-centers/">warming centers and shelters</a> are planning to be open regardless of weather conditions. Due to changing conditions, it is recommended to check with the location before going. <br /><br />Animal Control will only respond to extreme emergencies during this weather event, 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. Residents are encouraged to bring pets inside during extreme weather.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Police</strong><br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Contact:</strong> Brian McNeill, Brian.McNeill@CoMo.gov</li>
</ul>
<br />If the weather requires it, the Columbia Police Department will go into Delayed Accident Reporting. This means that due to hazardous traveling conditions, the Columbia Police have implemented the delayed crash report protocol and will only be responding to crashes involving serious injuries or criminal elements.<br /><br />If you are involved in a non-emergency accident, please call 311 or report online.<br /><br />As the hazardous weather continues, we ask that you slow down, increase distance between cars, accelerate and decelerate slowly, wear a seatbelt and take all other precautions to keep yourself and others safe.<br /><br />All vehicles that have been responded to as part of a delayed crash report will be marked with crime scene tape and towed when weather conditions improve.</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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