[Press Release] : Managers Discourage Travel – Offer Additional Advice

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

EMERGENCY MEDIA RELEASE

Contact:

Battalion Chief Steven Sapp, 573-874-7557 – office, 573-219-0572 – mobile 

Division Chief Gale Blomenkamp, 573-447-5000 – office, 573-219-0677 - mobile 

Columbia/Boone County Emergency 

Managers Discourage Travel –

Offer Additional Advice 

COLUMBIA, MO (12/01/2006) - Columbia and Boone County Emergency Managers continue to ask residents and visitors to remain at home and off the roadways. 

PLEASE STAY HOME.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRAVEL. 

While the sunny skies today may have invited people out onto the road, emergency managers and emergency providers are still requesting people to stay off the roads to allow snow plows to continue their work unimpeded. 

Even though the Columbia Public Works Department, County Public Works, and MoDOT have all made some progress today clearing road, travelers and stalled vehicles continue to hamper the efforts. MoDOT, County, and City road crews have joined in a cooperative effort and will plow roads they are on no mater what jurisdiction maintains the roadway. Most primary routes have been plowed at least once and it is hoped that secondary routes will be plowed soon. 

Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMS emergency services providers are still finding travel on secondary roads troublesome and depend on road crews to clear these roads so that delays are kept to a minimum. By staying off the roads, you are doing your part for road crews and emergency responders. 

As the sun sets and temperatures drop to forecast lows of around 10 degree’s, re-freezing of any melted snow and ice will continue to make travel dangerous. 

Emergency providers remind everyone that responses will be delayed. Efforts are being made to locate additional four-wheel drive vehicles and snow mobiles which may be the only way some residences in rural areas can be reached. Both the University of Missouri and Boone Hospital Center have brought in additional staff to answer calls. 

Boone County Fire District and the Columbia Fire Department are using their own snow plow equipped vehicles to clear roads and driveways if needed during emergency response. State, County, and City road departments will assist law enforcement, fire, and EMS providers if needed. Fire and law enforcement agencies will respond to all emergency calls and will get to you. The response from both departments may be delayed. Emergency responders in the Harrisburg area reported drifts of over four (4) feet in some areas. Even in the City of Columbia, emergency responders have reported drifts of two (2) feet or more blocking some roads. 

Again, stay off the roads and don’t travel until emergency managers and officials have stated it is okay to do so. The sooner roads are plowed, the sooner business and other non-essential services can resume. 

Updates on road conditions will be issued as information becomes available. 

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