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City of Columbia winter weather update, Jan. 25, 3:30 p.m.

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(COLUMBIA, MO) ~ Columbia, MO - The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a cold weather advisory for the mid-Missouri area, effective from midnight to noon on Monday, Jan. 26. The advisory warns of very cold wind chills as low as 21 below.

As winter weather can be unpredictable, residents are urged to closely monitor the forecast and changing road conditions. The City of Columbia has advised residents to stay updated through their various social media accounts and the city's website.

In preparation for the winter weather event, a 28-person snowplow crew from the City of Columbia Public Works reported for duty at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25. The crew will work in 12-hour shifts until the event ends and will focus on maintaining priority routes.

According to John Ogan, spokesperson for Public Works, crews will begin plowing neighborhood roads on Monday, Jan. 26 starting with outlying areas and working towards the city center. This approach alternates from one winter weather event to the next.

Residents can track the progress of snow clearing through an interactive map called the Snow Clearing Progress Viewer at CoMoSnow.com. This map shows which sections of Columbia have been plowed, where plows are currently operating and which areas have not yet been cleared.

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The City is advising against unnecessary travel during this or any active winter weather event.

In addition to road maintenance, there are also changes in public transportation due to the winter weather conditions. Go COMO Paratransit service will not operate on Monday, Jan. 26 due to safety concerns as snowplows are not expected to reach residential streets until later in the day. All scheduled Paratransit trips have been canceled.

Fixed-route bus service is expected to operate as normal but delays may occur. Riders are encouraged to use the ETA SPOT app for service updates and real-time tracking of buses. Tiger Line service is also expected to operate normally.

The City's Solid Waste department has canceled all recycling collection for Monday, Jan. 26 due to the frigid temperatures in the forecast. Customers are advised to hold onto their materials until their next scheduled collection. Trash collection and snow removal will continue as scheduled starting on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Jason West, spokesperson for Utilities, reminds residents to follow guidelines for roll cart placement to ensure efficient collection and snow removal. Collection crews are also responding to missed collections and residents can report any issues by calling the Contact Center or reporting online.

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Mike Heimos, spokesperson for Sustainability, urges residents to be "salt smart" this winter by shoveling first and using salt sparingly on cleared surfaces when temperatures are above 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Excess salt should be swept up to protect local waterways and pet owners should rinse their pets' paws after walks as some de-icers can irritate them.

Residents are reminded of the City ordinance that requires property owners or occupants to keep sidewalks in front of or adjacent to their property free from snow and ice for the safety and accessibility of all.

In terms of public health, several warming centers and shelters will remain open regardless of weather conditions. However, it is recommended to check with the location before going due to changing conditions. Animal Control will only respond to extreme emergencies during this weather event and residents are encouraged to bring their pets inside for safety.

The Columbia Police Department has implemented a delayed accident reporting protocol due to hazardous traveling conditions. They will only respond to crashes involving serious injuries or criminal elements. Non-emergency accidents can be reported through 311 or online.

As hazardous weather continues, Brian McNeill, spokesperson for the Columbia Police Department, urges drivers to take precautions such as slowing down, increasing distance between cars, accelerating and decelerating slowly, wearing seatbelts and following all other safety measures.

All vehicles involved in delayed crash reports will be marked with crime scene tape and towed when weather conditions improve.

Filed Under: Government, City
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