Snow slicks down roads

The weather system that blanketed Southeast Missouri with several inches of snow Thursday was expected to leave a minor ice accumulation before tapering off early today.

Most school districts dismissed students by 1 p.m. Thursday, and drivers battled a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain that caused a handful of car accidents. The temperature stayed near 32 degrees, contributing to the sleet and freezing rain, said Rachael Trevino, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

A heavy snow warning will remain in effect for the region until noon today. A heavy snow warning means at least 4 inches are expected within a 12-hour period, or 6 inches within 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service.

Bridge overpasses and hills that have north- or northeast-facing hillsides will be especially slick, said Sgt. Barry Hovis of the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Police received a flurry of calls about vehicles that had slid off the roadway or were stuck in the snow, and at least 20 involved accidents, Hovis said.

Snow plows and motor graders began around noon to remove snow from county roads, said county highway administrator Scott Bechtold. About six trucks dispensed cinders to try and control any slick spots and will probably begin to work again this morning.

Students cautiously made their way down Cardiac Hill on the Southeast Missouri State University campus Thursday. (Aaron Eisenhauer)

"Everybody needs to use caution, a lot of it," Bechtold said.

In Cape Girardeau, nine plows with spreaders hit the streets around 11 a.m. to lay down salt and clear snow, said assistant public works director Steve Cook. Workers managed to clear most of the major city streets by 3 p.m. and several secondary roadways, he said.

"We're ready for it," Cook said of the second wave of snowfall expected Thursday night.

The city planned to have crews working in shifts throughout the night on the roads if necessary, he said.

In Jackson, crews also worked around the clock to remove snow from high-priority roads to keep traffic moving, according to a news release from public works director Rodney Bollinger.

Snow was falling Thursday morning in Cape Girardeau at the northeast edge of River Campus Terrace Park overlooking the Mississippi River. (Fred Lynch)

Four plow trucks, two cinder trucks and a large motor grader were used in the effort. It takes about 18 hours to cover all of Jackson's approximately 100 miles of streets, the release said.

When residents shovel their own driveways, they should push snow to the shoulder at the entrance of their driveway toward the direction that traffic moves so the plows will not be pushing it back in front of their vehicles, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.

"It's frustrating when you finish clearing your driveway only to have one of our plows come by and fill it back in," said operations engineer Mike Helpingstine.

The slick conditions caused the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority to suspend bus service Thursday afternoon, said executive director Tom Mogelnicki.

Travel conditions will remain hazardous until the heavy snow warning is over, according to the National Weather Service. Drivers are urged to avoid traveling long distances if possible, and make sure they have extra food, blankets and a flashlight in their vehicle.

Julia Callow, 6, played in the snow Thursday, making tiny snowmen outside her mom's business, Bella Salon, on Pacific Street in Cape Girardeau. (Aaron Eisenhauer)

"I just go really slow, you know," said Janie Fowler about getting around town.

Fowler said she didn't let the snow stop her from keeping her hair appointment at the salon and going to the gym.

At Schnucks supermarket on Kingshighway, crowds had thinned out by 6 p.m. from the rush that hit the store as snow fell at midday, assistant manager Danny Reno said.

As usual, there was a run on the bread aisle, where stocks of less expensive loaves were near exhausted. Reno said people choose staples such as bread and milk so they won't run out if they are stuck at home as a result of heavy snow or ice.

As she left the checkout stand, Lora Potts pushed a heavily laden cart that included milk, but was also stuffed with a variety of other foods, including snack items that she expects will be hit hard by her two teenage sons if they are home from school.

Salt spilled over the end as Craig Duncan filled a MoDot truck Thursday morning south of Cape Girardeau.KIT DOYLEkdoyle@semissourian.com

The cupboard was bare, she said, and Thursday was the day her paycheck reached the bank. But Potts said she would have been at the store regardless because of the weather.

Staff writer Rudi Keller contributed to this report.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

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