Residents work on clean-up from storm

Residents throughout Southeast Missouri got an early start on the process of cleaning up from the storm, which dumped five to seven inches of snow and ice before moving out of Cape Girardeau after 7:30 this morning.

Businesses throughout Cape Girardeau remained closed this morning. Jim Rowland, owner of Muffler Express, was open Tuesday but was forced to close today because his employees were using their snow plows around town through late tonight.

Mike Dickey, a 23-year employee of the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department, was clearing the sidewalk leading into city hall. He and three other employees of the department hoped to finish the job soon before moving onto the police station, Arena building and other locations.

"The ice has been the biggest problem," Dickey said at 8:15 a.m., 45 minutes after starting the snow removal at city hall. "It could have been worse."

"I've run out of people to run the shop," said Rowland, whose shop has worked on countless cars who needed repairs on Tuesday because of storm damage. "This is the worst I've seen in about 10 years. I just wish people would stay at home, which would cut down on accidents and getting stuck in snow drifts."

Nancy Muser was on her way to work when her van became stuck in a snow drift not too far from her home. Neighbors Harley Clark and Ben Freeman assisted.

Since the winter storm moved into the area, Brad Hutson hasn't gotten much rest.

The task of treating sidewalks and removing snow from the streets of Southeast Missouri State University has meant little sleep for Hutson.

"This isn't that much different from other snow and ice storms we've had in the past, Huston said during a short break from removing snow with a small bulldozer.

"While I managed to get some sleep last night, I still get sleepy from the work involved."

bblackwell@semissourian.com