Noon travel update: Side roads treacherous as crews focus on main arteries

Battling heavy snow, area road crews have only been able to work on the main traffic routes so far. Snow continued to fall heavily at the noon hour, about 24 hours after precipitation started on Thursday.

Missouri Department of Transportation administrative technician Stephanie Green said major routes, including Interstate 55, Highway 34, U.S. Highway 61 and U.S. 177 still are covered.

Major routes are the top priority, Green said, and crews will not begin clearing lettered routes until after the weather system passes.

Traffic moves slowly along North Kingshighway as snow falls Friday morning, Dec. 6, 2013 in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Cape Girardeau city street crews are finding themselves in a difficult fight.

"We've had crews out all night and the roads were just wet," said Tim Gramling, Cape Girardeau's director of public works. "But when the snow really started coming down about 3 or 4 a.m., it got ahead of us pretty quick."

The city also suspended Friday's trash and recycling pickup because of road conditions. The service could resume Saturday, road conditions and weather permitting.

Gramling advised people should not travel on city streets through this evening unless absolutely necessary.

"I think it's not looking good," he said. "Until it stops snowing I think it's going to be pretty treacherous."

Cape Girardeau City Hall, the transfer station, the Shawnee Park Center and Arena Building closed Friday. The Osage Centre closed its main floor, and its weight room will be open until 6 p.m. Friday.

Jackson police captain Rodney Barnes said all the main roads in Jackson are covered in snow and ice and driving is "extremely hazardous."

There are many vehicles stuck on the side of the road, and people who become stuck in the snow tax emergency services, he said.

"If you don't have to get out, don't get out," Barnes said.

If one must drive in the snow, Barnes said he or she should wear and carry extra warm clothing, food and a cell phone in case they become stuck.

If one does become stuck in the snow, "be prepared to wait," he said.

The following is an earlier version of our travel story

Officials are recommending that no one travel this morning in the weather conditions unless they must.

Conditions at 6 a.m. were severe. Roads such as East Jackson Boulevard and Kingshighway were covered with ice and packed snow. Weather conditions are expected to worsen throughout the day.

Expected bands of heavy snow will cause low visibility for drivers.

Lawrence Schumer, the maintenance superintendent for Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties for the Missouri Department of Transportation, said all major routes are passible, including Interstate 55 and Highway 61. MoDOT has been working all night to keep them open, he said.

Minor roads, including letter routes, still are covered, Schumer said, and he recommended only 4-wheel-drive vehicles drive on them.

"[We] haven't been able to keep up with them over night," he said, and MoDot crews will get to them as soon as possible today.

Aside from a few commercial vehicles sliding off the road, there were no major accidents during overnight hours, Smith said.

Should one have to travel today, Robin Smith, meteorologist with the NWS in Paducah, Ky., recommends wearing warm clothing and having a winter safety kit in your vehicle, which should include a snow shovel, blanket, water and dry food and snacks.

Shortly after 8 a.m., the City of Cape Girardeau announced on its Twitter feed that the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport is closed and flights are canceled.