MoDOT Urges No Travel During Winter Storm
The National Weather Service and the Sedalia/Pettis County Emergency Management Agency is keeping up with the latest weather and the Winter Weather Advisory continues until noon today (Jan. 5), but they have also issued a Wind Chill Warning from 6 pm (Jan. 5) until Noon on Monday (Jan. 6).
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has issued a “no travel advisory” for the duration of this storm, which is expected to continue through the day on Sunday, Jan. 5 and through the night. “For your safety and the safety of our crews, we ask everyone to avoid travel once this storm begins, unless it is an emergency,” said Ed Hassinger, MoDOT Chief Engineer. “Strong winds are blowing the snow around, and it’s creating a whiteout effect that makes it very difficult to see and makes travel extremely hazardous.”
Be sure to keep up with the latest road updates here and cancellations here.
KCP&L is beginning to see some power outages in their service area. If you experience a power outage be sure to contact your power provider.
David Clippert of the Sedalia/Pettis County Emergency Management Agency offers more advice:
• Never venture outdoors without wearing gloves, a hat and several layers of clothing. Wind chill values Sunday and Monday could lead to frostbite in less than 30 minutes if proper precautions are not taken. Any exposed skin is at risk.
• Run water at a trickle and keep cabinet doors open to prevent pipes from freezing.
• NEVER use a stove or oven to heat your home or use an open flame to melt frozen pipes. Many house fires result from these practices. Do not bring in BBQ grills to warm you house.
• Check tire pressure and your car battery. Be sure your car has a winter safety kit that includes a blanket, warm clothes and gloves in case your car breaks down or becomes stranded. Let someone know where you are going, what route you are taking and when you expect to arrive.
• Check on your neighbors especially the elderly. Make sure they have heat!
• PETS, PETS, PETS. Please don’t leave your pets outside! If your pet is whimpering, shivering or slowing down that could be signs of hypothermia.