COLUMBIA, MO (February 1, 2011) -
The City of Columbia, in conjunction with the Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management, continues efforts to keep the public informed about the severe winter storm Tuesday, Feb. 1 and Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011. Residents are encouraged to stay tuned to local media and the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/mo.php?x=1.
Please refrain from travel unless it is an absolute emergency. I-70 is currently closed between Kansas City and St. Louis. Travelers seeking lodging can find hotel information at www.visitcolumbiamo.com. For more information about road closures visit the Missouri Department of Transportation, www.modot.org, or the Boone County website, www.showmeboone.com/OEM/closures.
Residents who are walking, playing and skiing in streets should stop immediately, as they are in danger of not being seen and being struck by road crews or emergency vehicles. Public Works will be concentrating on priority streets only and MoDot is focusing efforts on Stadium – MO 740. City crews will work as long as visibility allows. While no city streets have been officially closed, all are snow covered and many are considered impassable. As the storm passes, Public Works asks cititzens to stay off the roads through at least Thursday morning to give them time to get the streets safe and passable. Residents are also urged to stay indoors to minimize the risk of injuries due to falls or exposure.
Public Safety and Emergency Weather Operations – Updates
The City’s goal is to provide quality essential services to the best of our ability. According to City Manager Bill Watkins, “Essential operations are those that must continue to assure the public safety and general welfare of citizens.”
Office of Emergency Management
- Partially activating the Emergency Operations Center and continuously coordinating with the City, County and other public and private entities
Joint Communications
- Is staffed with round-the-clock operators and has on-site employees standing-by
- Non-emergency dispatch number 573.442.6131
Columbia Fire Department
The Columbia Fire Department is staffing three reserve engines, a reserve rescue squad, a reserve ladder and two fire department snowplow trucks, in addition to the normal daily resources
- Non-essential personnel will be out of the office, with the exception of support staff available to handle extra duties as required
- The staffing of additional resources will continue as long as conditions warrant
- Fire non-emergency dispatch number 573.442.6131
Columbia Police Department
- Has secured several four-wheel drive vehicles to help officers get around and a lieutenant will be on duty at all times
- The front lobby will be open with a phone available for emergencies, but it will not be staffed
- Non-essential police services are suspended until the weather improves
- Vehicles that become immobile will not be removed unless they are obstructing traffic
- Police non--emergency dispatch number is 573.442.6131
- Police encourage citizens to use the online reporting system on the city’s website at http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Police/Crime_Reporting/index.php
Public Works
- Has 18 snowplows, plus other equipment such as backhoes and graders that will be aiding in snow removal on 500 miles of streets - other departments are also helping with snow removal
- Snowplow drivers are working 12-hour shifts and will work tonight as long as visibility allows
- Overtime will be utilized as needed until streets are safe and passable – with the amount of snow expected, it could take several days to clear streets and everyone's patience is appreciated – please keep in mind that safe and passable does not mean down to dry pavement
While no city streets have been officially closed, all streets are snow covered and many considered impassable - the City is utilizing all of its snow plows, graders, pick-ups and rented extra equipment
- Please keep parked cars off streets as often as possible. Parked cars are an obstacle to clearing the street well and pose a hazard that plows must maneuver around - streets can be plowed more thoroughly with fewer cars parked on the street
- City crews are focused on critical streets at this time – work on 1st and 2nd priority streets other areas will resume as soon as possible
- The city’s salt dome is full, however, cinders might be required if temperatures are too cold for salt alone - calcium chloride, a liquid melting agent, might also be used in case of ice
Water and Light
- If you see a downed power line, stay clear and call 9-1-1
- There was one brief, non-weather related outage that resolved quickly this afternoon
- Running standard 24-hour operations with full-shifts with crew on standby during the night
- Line crews and tree trimming crews are geared-up
- Water Leak and Electric Outage 24-hour contact 573.875.2555
- Sewer Emergency, 24-hour contact 573.445.9426
Safety Tips
- If walking, beware of slippery conditions – falls and slips can be life-threatening
- Please stay out of streets – visibility is low and drivers can’t see pedestrians
- For emergencies, downed power lines and life-threatening situations, call 9-1-1
- For non-emergency assistance and non-injury accidents call the non-emergency line 573.442.6131 (Revised since 1/31/11 release)
- Exercise caution when shoveling snow - beware of overexertion and slippery conditions
- Please keep parked cars off streets as often as possible, so they do not block road crews or emergency vehicles
- If you absolutely must travel, have an emergency kit in your vehicle – if stranded in a vehicle, keep snow cleared from exhaust, run only occasionally to keep warm, slightly open a window that is down wind while vehicle is running, leave dome light on at night, if you can’t see a residence - do not try to walk to safety
- Check on family, friends and neighbors that could be at high risk of cold-related injury or illness including the elderly, those that are fighting an illness and people who do not have access to adequate heat – especially as temperatures continue to drop after the storm passes
- For community resources including warming center and shelter information, contact the United Way 2-1-1 referral service at www.211missouri.org or call 2-1-1 from a land line or alternate numbers at 800.427.4626 (revised 3:45 pm)
- Prepare homes with necessary supplies: food, water, medicine and other essential items
- Don’t use unauthorized heating devices that may cause fires or carbon monoxide poisoning
- Scoop snow to the right side of the driveway (as you are facing the street) to avoid having driveways plowed shut
- Great tips for weather safety are posted on the city’s website www.gocolumbiamo.com
Cancellation of Services and Closures
- Columbia Transit and ParaTransit will not operate on Tuesday or Wednesday. Bus service will return on Thursday, but may be running on the emergency weather service depending on road conditions. - notices will be sent as updates are available
- Parking meters will not be enforced on Tuesday or Wednesday
- There will be no trash or recycling collection on Tuesday or Wednesday this week (these are cancelled not delayed) - trash and recycling normally picked up on Tuesday or Wednesday will resume next week
- Trash pick up is expected to resume Thursday, but service could be slower than normal due to road conditions
- The sanitary landfill will be closing at noon on Tuesday and will be closed all day Wednesday
- Building and Site Development will be closed, so building permits and other related services will not be available on Tuesday or Wednesday
- The electronic waste collection originally scheduled for Saturday, February 5 at the Home Depot parking lot, has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date
Closures
The following City departments will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
City Manager’s Office
City Clerk
Finance – including Business License, Utility Account Billing, Cashier and Customer Service
Information Technology (essential personnel on standby)
Law
Planning Department
Public Works (essential personnel on standby)
Public Communications (essential personnel on standby)
Office of Cultural Affairs
Parks and Recreation Administration
o Other Parks and Recreation Closures
ARC, 1701 W. Ash
Armory Sports Center and C.A.R.E. office, 701 E. Ash
Stephens Lake Activity Center, 2311 E. Walnut
Rock Quarry Park House, 2002 Grindstone Pkwy
Riechmann Pavilion, 2300 E. Walnut
- Howard Municipal Building
Human Resources
Employee Health
Municipal Court
- Office of Neighborhood Services
- Public Health and Human Services
Administration
Animal Control
Community Services
Environmental Health
Nursing
Social Services
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Convention and Visitors Bureau
Administration
Engineering
For continuous updates, please visit the City of Columbia website at www.gocolumbiamo.com
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