Weather service: Two inches of snow recorded near Benton

About two inches of snow fell across the region Wednesday, according to early reports submitted to the Paducah, Ky., office of the National Weather Service.

The only report from near Cape Girardeau that was available just before 4:30 p.m. was from two miles east of Benton, where two inches of snow had fallen throughout the day Wednesday. The weather service reported 2.5 inches had fallen in Paducah by 4 p.m. Estimates put Cape Girardeau in an area that received between 1 and 2 inches of snow.

The snow caused many fender-benders throughout the area, and some crashes that shut down parts of Interstate 55 temporarily. From 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cape Girardeau police responded to about 15 accidents, including four on the interstate. None were serious, department spokesman Darin Hickey said in an email Wednesday afternoon.

No serious accidents were reported in Jackson at that time.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reported a weather-related crash around noon on Highway 77 two miles south of Chaffee. One car lost control and slid into the path of another car. Both drivers received moderate injuries.

Some schools canceled classes before the storm hit Southeast Missouri, while others dismissed classes as snow began to cover roads before mid-morning.

Scott City schools canceled classes before serious snowfall began Wednesday morning. The school informed parents using the Southeast Missourian text alert system. Other schools used the system to alert parents to early dismissals. St. Vincent in Perryville announced a 9:15 a.m. dismissal, Eagle Ridge Christian School and Cape Christian School announced a noon closure and Saxony Lutheran, Nell Holcomb and Oran public schools announced an 11:30 dismissal.

Other schools also announced early closings on the KZIM-KSIM website. Just before 10:30 a.m. that list included Advance public schools, Imannnuel Lutheran in Perryville, Kelly, Kelso, Leopold, Meadow Heights, Metro Business College, Notre Dame Regional High School, Oak Ridge schools and early learning center, Perry County schools, Southeast College of Nursing, St. Ambrose in Chaffee, St. Denis in Benton and Zalma.

Click here to check the list of closings.

Southeast Missouri State University reported its night classes were canceled. The university also canceled its afternoon Southeast Missouri Music Academy classes.

The Boys and Girls Club of Cape Girardeau also reported a Wednesday closing to the Southeast Missourian.

Much of the area was under a winter weather advisory through midnight.