Updated: Jan. 6, 2014, 7:31AM
As much of Missouri begins to dig out of snow coverage that descended over the state over the weekend, Ameren Missouri says about 1400 people are without power as the utility works to restore power.
The utility says the hardest hit areas are in Franklin County, and Jefferson County, with the others spread throughout eastern and southeast Missouri.
The outages come as the state is under a wind chill warning through noon today, with nearly the entire state reporting temperatures below zero early this morning.
The utility said in a statement that customers without special needs, such as the disalbed or those with medical conditions, should consider making alternative arrangements
The utility also has opened regional warming centers throughout the state for anyone who needs a warm place to stay.
In mid-Missouri, many schools are closed today because of the low temperatures. Columbia road crews are clearing priority roads and had moved into some residential areas early this morning. Columbia busses are operating on snow schedules. Public Works also says the parking ban on priority snow routes is now lifted. You can find out more about snow policies and removal operations in Columbia at the public works department's website. And for more school closings and community cancelations, see KOMU's website.
Updated Jan. 5, 2014:
Heavy snow combined with strong winds and bitter cold on Sunday to create a dangerous winter mix over much of Missouri, cancelling church and synagogue services and prompting warnings to get out only if absolutely necessary.
Snow that began in parts of the state Saturday night picked up intensity after dawn on Sunday. Several inches of snow were on the ground by mid-morning. The Missouri Department of Transportation reported that most major roadways were covered.
Temperatures were largely in the 20s in the morning but expected to drop throughout the day, reaching below zero by around midnight. In St. Louis, volunteers were out searching for homeless people. A special shelter at a St. Louis recreation center drew 124 homeless by Sunday morning, and will remain open through the cold snap.
Much of central Missouri, including Columbia, Jefferson City and Mexico, remains under a winter weather advisory from the National Weather Service, with snow continuing through mid-day and leaving up to 8 inches of accumulation.
Columbia Public Schools has announced that school will not be in session Monday because of the low temperatures. The City of Columbia's Public Works Department issued a statement saying they have full crews out clearing first and second priority roads, some of which are seeing up to six inches of snow due to blowing and drifting. The statement says the intersection at Stadium and Ash is closed because of a water main break that has left three-four feet of water over the intersection. Public Works also says that a parking ban on priority snow routes is in effect. You can find out more about snow policies and removal operations in Columbia at the public works department's website. And for more school closings and community cancelations, see KOMU's website.
MoDOT has issued a "no travel advisory," asking motorists to stay indoors until the storm passes.
