Motorists hampered by snowy streets

A car travels over an invisible road in Fulton.
A car travels over an invisible road in Fulton.

Drivers who traveled outside the home Monday faced snowfall obscuring the road beneath their tires.

Snow showers throughout the day and evening left roads covered, creating a dangerous situation for those who went outside.

Troop F of the Missouri Highway Patrol, which covers 13 central Missouri counties including Callaway, received 85 calls for service Monday from midnight to 2 p.m. alone.

That included 56 stranded motorists and seven crashes.

The Missouri Department of Transportation reported major roads around Fulton, such as Interstate 70 and U.S. 54 were covered.

Callaway County road and bridge engineer Paul Winkelmann oversees the county's 80 miles of blacktop and 740 miles of gravel roads.

"We've got a big county here, it takes a while to get across," he said. "When it actually stops snowing, that's when we can make some headway."

Winkelmann said crews were working Monday, prioritizing the roads with higher traffic.

"We're pushing what we can, but with snow falling, it's still going to accumulate," he said.

Winkelmann also said lower temperatures make the work more difficult.

"We're doing what we can," he said Monday morning. "With this type of weather, it's hard to keep up."

One way state and local road crews help prevent icy roads is by laying out salt. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, but is less effective when the pavement temperature drops below 15 degrees.

Low temperatures can also affect mechanical equipment.

On Monday, temperatures hovered around zero degrees, with wind chill making it feel much colder. Many were able to stay off the roads, as local schools cancelled classes.

When winter weather makes roads unsafe, the Missouri Department of Transportation recommends slowing down - even the speed limit can be too fast.

Drivers should increase following distances to account for slower brake response.

According to the Highway Patrol, drivers should keep fuel tanks at least half-full and supplied with an ice scraper, battery booster cables, blankets, extra coats, gloves, water, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies, a flashlight, a small shovel and a bag of sand or cat litter for traction.

Drivers who get in accident should call 911. If a vehicle is stranded, reach the MSHP emergency line at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone.

Chances of snow are lower Tuesday, but a wind chill warning remains in effect until noon Tuesday.