Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds public to ‘avoid unnecessary travel’
Drivers are again dealing with hazardous conditions as fresh rounds of snow move through St. Joseph and the surrounding area on Monday and Tuesday.
Between 2 and 3 inches of snow have fallen along and north of the Highway 36 corridor since early Monday morning. A second snowfall is forecast Monday night into Tuesday, possibly bringing an additional 2 to 4 inches of accumulation to St. Joseph. Another Winter Weather Advisory will go into effect from midnight Tuesday, Feb. 18, to 3 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19.
Multiple accidents were reported around the city Monday morning, particularly along Interstate 29, and those traveling were advised to be cautious. Sgt. Shane Hux with the Missouri State Highway Patrol offered some advice for avoiding crashes in these conditions.
"Probable contributing circumstances that we are seeing is driving too fast for the conditions," Hux said. "As well as following to close, not giving themselves enough room in between vehicles."
Visibility was low in the early parts of Monday as the snow was light and powdery. A concern for drivers in the next few days will be icy conditions as temperatures get even colder.
"All vehicles have difficulty on ice," Hux said. "Doesn't matter if it's a four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. It is important to not use your cruise control during these types of conditions."
A Cold Weather Advisory will go into effect for all of Northwest Missouri and much of Northeast Kansas from 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19. Wind chills as low as 25 to 30 degrees below zero are forecast through the period. Anyone venturing out should dress in layers and cover exposed skin as much as possible.
Street maintenance crews put down salt on roads and will continue to work and monitor the roads, city officials said.
"Always avoid unnecessary travel in these types of conditions," Hux said. "MoDOT crews are out working to try and clear the roads to make them safe for everyone."
In slick conditions, if drivers find themselves sliding out of control, Hux said the best thing to do is to lay off the gas and not apply the brake. Keeping essentials inside the vehicle in case of a crash is also important during these conditions. Those items include blankets, clothing, a fully charged cell phone, water and nonperishable food items.
Extra patrols will be out in the coming days because of the danger the cold will bring, especially to those in disabled vehicles. If in trouble, drivers should call 911 or Star 55 for the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
"It is important for the public to remember to stay inside your vehicle," Hux said, citing the danger of standing along roadways where drivers could be hit by other passing cars. "Even if you just become disabled or if you are involved in a crash, remain in your vehicle with your seatbelt on."
