7 years, 3 months ago by Scott Hardy
Crews dealing with waves of precipitation
The Tri-State area is starting to be covered in a thin layer of ice.
The Ice storm warning remains in effect through Sunday night at 6, as a quarter inch of ice is expected in the Quincy/Hannibal area. Other areas to the south may see up to a half-inch of ice, while to the north, around the Keokuk area, a winter storm watch remains in effect. The freezing rain started moving through the area overnight, and will continue through the day, resulting in hazardous travel conditions, especially on bridges, overpasses and untreated roads. Parking lots and sidewalks will also become slippery.
Both the Missouri and Illinois Departments of Transportation are saying that if you don't have to travel, you shouldn't, because the heavy ice accumulations will make travel dangerous or impossible. "We are pleased most people have heeded the warnings to stay off the roads, yet we are still seeing a lot of commercial vehicles, and they are driving too fast for conditions," said MoDOT Northeast District Communications Manager Marisa Ellison. MoDOT's trucks that are treating minor roads have chains on the tires. "We are especially concerned that people will get a false sense of security as the temperatures hover around the freezing mark and there is a lull in the precipitation, but we are expecting more off and on throughout the day," she explained. There haven't been any reports of downed power lines or tree limbs, and there have been some slide offs throughout the district. "We continue to discourage any travel throughout today and tomorrow," Ellison said. The MoDOT traveler information map is the best source of information and can be found at www.modot.org Conditions for Illinois roads can be found at gettingaroundillinois.com
If you must travel, use extreme caution, and begin your travel with a full tank of gas and carry a winter storm kit which includes a shovel, flashlight, fully charged cellphone, food and water and blankets or extra warm clothing.
Ice accumulations and winds could lead to snapped power lines and falling tree branches.
