[Press Release] : WEATHER PREPARATIONS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Toni Messina, Communications Director
Day 573-874-7660, Evening: 573-449-1657

MEDIA ADVISORY: WEATHER PREPARATIONS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

COLUMBIA, MO (January 12, 2007 - 5:22 p.m.) -- City officials have prepared for hazardous winter weather, as forecast by the National Weather Service. Right now, dealing with icy streets is the first priority. The Columbia Fire Department continues to advise citizens to avoiding driving if at all possible. City Police already are responding to several weather-related accidents.

The Department of Public Works has been salting bridges and intersections where ice is forming. Keeping roadways passable is critical, especially if crews need to respond to electric power outages and downed trees.

If that happens, Public Works and the City Water and Light Department will work in tandem to assure that service is restored as quickly and efficiently as possible. Normally, power is restored first to areas affecting the largest number of customers and then cascades to less populated areas. Water and Light crews have stocked trucks with extra supplies and topped-off their gas tanks.

The Department of Parks and Recreation is preparing to accept large amounts of tree limbs and other debris that could result from ice damage. Sites will be identified and publicized, as needed.
Contact numbers for Citizens

    * To report an electric power outage, call the Water and Light Department emergency number at 875-2555. This is an automated system that can handle 11 calls at a time. Call back if there’s a busy signal.
    * For questions about roads, call the Public Works Department at 874-6289. This reaches staff at the Grissum Building, where the road fleet is dispatched.
    * For fire and public safety emergencies, call 911. The call will be answered and dispatched at the Joint Communications Center.

-30-