Here we go again

Road crews "prepare for worst and hope for best'

Don Kliethermes of Missouri River Regional Library uses a riding mower with a 36-inch blade to plow snow from the sidewalk around the library's property. He was trying to clear the way for the expected winter precipitation so the snow buildup was managable.
Don Kliethermes of Missouri River Regional Library uses a riding mower with a 36-inch blade to plow snow from the sidewalk around the library's property. He was trying to clear the way for the expected winter precipitation so the snow buildup was managable.

Road crews in Cole County and Jefferson City spent Monday preparing for a second winter storm to hit the area in less than week.

"We double checked trucks and changed blades on snow plows," said Cole County Public Works Director Larry Benz. "Anything that needed fixing from the last storm we tried to get to."

"We're coming off a weekend rest so that's helped," said Jefferson City Operations Division Director Britt Smith. "We haven't done much snow removal since Friday afternoon. Staying out for long stretches can begin to wear on you. Monday was a good prep day."

Smith said temperatures staying warmer could help, but if there is a quick change over there could be more problems.

"We're used to handling a 2-4 inch snow, but there is still the potential for something else," he said. "If the storm shifts south, it could be tougher. We prepare for the worst and hope for the best."

Benz said in the county they always deal with issues of pushing snow back in subdivisions.

"If people park in the streets that narrows what we can do, especially if they haven't moved their vehicles since the last storm so it becomes more difficult," he said.

"On the outlying roads we can get those pushed back easier. Now with rain in the forecast, we probably won't be able to put material down on the roads and that could make this storm more difficult because before the last time we could do pre-salting and that helped."

Smith said an all-snow event would be better for them.

"The sleet last week was heavy and hard to push," he said. "We might not have to use as much chemicals if that's the case."

Both men said for now that there is plenty of salt and other supplies to fight the snow, but if we get more snows like last week that might change.

"We're hoping we'll get to take a breath after this," Benz said.

Additional:

Weather-related school closings, announcements

Area forecast, radar and advisories

MoDOT Traveler Information map

Jefferson City snow routes condition map