[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: City responds to winter weather

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Renee Graham, Public Communications Officer
573-874-7316, ryg at GoColumbiaMo.com 

Steve Sapp, Columbia Public Works
(573) 874-7250


City responds to winter weather 

COLUMBIA, MO (February 21, 2013) - City responds to winter weather

To ensure the safety of all citizens, the City of Columbia is coordinating efforts to keep the public informed about winter weather conditions and responses. Non-essential city employees will leave work at noon, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. City customers are asked to refrain from traveling to city facilities, including the Utility Account Payment Center (closing at approximately 2 p.m.) and Building Services Centers at City Hall. A complete list of city department closures can be found later in this document.

The city’s goal is to provide quality essential services to the best of our ability. According to City Manager Mike Matthes, “Essential operations are those that must continue to assure the public safety and general welfare of citizens.” Here is an update on essential operations.

Public Safety and Emergency Weather Operations – Updates 

Joint Communications

*For emergencies and life-threatening situations, call 9-1-1

*For non-emergency assistance and non-injury accidents call the non-emergency line 573-442-6211

Public Works

*American Airlines has cancelled a number of flights in the Midwest due to weather; flights AA3900 from COU to Chicago at 1:55 p.m. and AA3291 from Dallas/Fort Worth at 5:40 p.m. are cancelled. There will be no more flights from COU today. The airport does remain open to air traffic.

*Refuse and recycling are running as normal, however, there may be delays as crews encounter worsening weather and road conditions. The sanitary landfill remains open.

*Road crews are pre-treating with salt and plowing, as needed. Twenty-four trucks and spreaders are out at this time. If snow rates reach the forecasted 2+ inches per hour and visibility is reduced, plows will not be able to keep up until snowfall rates decrease.

*Crews, as per policy, on first and second priority routes. Will continue until first and second priority routes are safe and passable using overtime, if needed. Residential streets will be treated and plowed if accumulations of 4 inches + after first and second priority routes are safe and passable.

*Please park vehicles in driveways or parking lots so crews can plow curb to curb. Travel today is not encouraged. Scoop snow to the right side of the driveway (as you are facing the street) to avoid having driveways plowed shut.

Columbia Transit

*Buses switched to the emergency weather schedule at 10 a.m.

*Last departure for Paratransit, FastCat and fixed route service is 6 p.m., last drop-off at 6:30 p.m.

*Under the emergency weather schedule, buses depart from Wabash Station on the hour and from designated time-points on the half-hour.

*Inclement weather will cause service delays as operators reduce speed for safety. Columbia Transit thanks riders for their patience. 

*For more information, riders can call Columbia Transit customer service at 573-874-7282 or visit www.gocolumbiamo.com and search "Emergency Weather Schedule". 

Columbia Fire Department

*Non-essential personnel will be out, with the exception of support staff available to handle extra duties, as required.

*The staffing of additional resources will continue as long as conditions warrant. 

*The fire non-emergency dispatch number 573-442-6131.

Columbia Police Department

*The front lobby of the department will be open and a phone will be available for emergencies; it may or may not be staffed. It is currently staffed until 3 p.m.

*Non-essential police services, such as records clerks and administrative functions, are being suspended until the weather improves.

*Vehicles that become immobile will not be removed unless they are obstructing traffic.

*The police non-emergency dispatch number is 573-442-6131.

*Police encourage citizens to use the online reporting system on the city’s website at http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Police/Crime_Reporting/index.php.

Water and Light

*Running standard 24-hour operations with backup staff on standby.

*Line crews and tree trimming crews are geared-up; dispatchers will be working normal hours. 

*Electric crews spent Wednesday gearing up for the winter storm. Chains were put on the wheels of service vehicles yesterday and gas tanks were filled at the end of the day. Extra supplies were stocked on trucks.

*All chain saws were inspected to ensure they were in working order.

*Columbia Water & Light has a mutual aid agreement through the Missouri Association of Municipal Utilities. If Columbia needs help with a large power outage or another community needs help, contracts are in place to expedite the process.

*Generally, ice and high winds create more problems for electric utilities. This is mainly due to tree limbs falling on overhead wires. Columbia Water & Light has a routine tree trimming program to minimize this problem.

*Water Leak and Electric Outage 24-hour contact 573-875-2555

*Sewer Emergency, 24-hour contact 573-445-9426

Cancellation of Services and Closures

Meeting cancellations for tonight:  Planning and Zoning, Board of Health, Parks and Recreation Commission, Public Transportation Advisory Board and 2 p.m. Food Handlers Class. Meetings will be rescheduled, as soon as possible.

City departments will close at noon and all department meetings are canceled for the following: All City Hall offices (non-essential personnel)
City Manager’s Office, City Clerk, Finance, Information Technologies, Law, Community Development, Public Works, Public Communications, Water & Light

Utility Accounts Billing, Cashier and Customer Service will close at 12 p.m.

Parks and Recreation Administration Other Parks and Recreation Closures
                        ARC, 1701 W. Ash – Closes at 2 p.m.
                        Armory Sports Center and C.A.R.E. office, 701 E. Ash closes at noon
                        Stephens Lake Activity Center, 2311 E. Walnut
                        Rock Quarry Park House, 2002 Grindstone Pkwy
                        Riechmann Pavilion, 2300 E. Walnut

Howard Municipal Building
Court and Violations Bureau closes at 2 p.m.;  Human Resources, Employee Health

Public Health and Human Services offices will close at noon – 573-874-7355 Walton Building, Convention and Visitors Bureau and Cultural Affairs

Safety Tips

*Refrain from travel, if possible – if walking, beware of slippery conditions.

*Remember, road conditions can change and become dangerous in a short amount of time.

*If you absolutely must travel, have an emergency kit in your vehicle. Emergency crews are taxed during weather events like this and providing assistance to stranded motorists may take considerable time. 

*If stranded in a vehicle, keep snow cleared from exhaust, run only occasionally to keep warm,  slightly open a window that is down wind while vehicle is running, leave dome light on at night, if you can’t see a residence - do not try to walk to safety.

*Check road closures at Missouri Department of Transportation at www.modot.org. Prepare homes with necessary supplies: food, water, medicine and other essential items.

*Don’t use unauthorized heating devices that may cause fires or carbon monoxide poisoning.

*Check on family, friends and neighbors who could be at high risk of cold-related injury or illness including the elderly, those that are fighting an illness and people who do not have access to adequate heat.

*Exercise caution when shoveling snow - beware of overexertion and slippery conditions. 

*Provide proper shelter for pets and provide fresh water and food supplies on a regular basis.

*Do not ignore shivering; it's a sign that the body is losing heat. If shivering persists, go indoors.

*Know the warning signs of hypothermia: confusion, drowsiness, clumsiness and exhaustion.

*Know the warning signs of frostbite: tingling and numbness, white or grayish yellow areas of the  skin, skin that feels waxy.

*If pets or livestock must remain outdoors, provide fresh water and food on a regular basis.

*Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.

 

For continuous updates, please visit the City of Columbia website at www.gocolumbiamo.com.


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