A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Pettis and Johnson counties from late Friday night through Saturday evening.
According to the National Weather Service, widespread wintry precipitation is expected across the region. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 8 inches and ice accumulations of around one-tenth of an inch are possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.
The watch covers portions of east central and northeast Kansas and central, north central, northeast, northwest and west central Missouri. Highest snowfall totals are likely along and north of St. Joseph to Chillicothe to Kirksville. Greatest ice accumulations are likely along a Butler to Sedalia to Boonville line. Snowfall totals across the Kansas City metro look to range from 3 to 6 inches.
Sedalia-Pettis County Emergency Management Agency Director Trisha Rooda said temperatures will drop significantly below freezing early Saturday morning through Monday afternoon.
The wind chill Saturday night will range from -5 degrees to -20 degrees, and winter precipitation is going to start building from the south late Friday and the rain will transfer into a mix of rain, freezing rain and snow for Mid-Missouri in the morning. The Sunday morning wind chill is going to be -10 degrees, which will be the coldest the area has experienced so far.
“I would start to refresh what a winter storm warning is versus what a winter storm watch is,” Rooda said. “So we’re in a winter storm watch and that it alerts the public of the possibility of a blizzard, a heavy snow, we may get some ice and these are issued 12 to 48 hours before the storm actually gets here.”
Rooda said residents should prepare for winter weather.
“If they are worrying about pipes freezing, if they livestock, if you have pets, that is all stuff that you can work beforehand, gather your supplies in case you have to stay home for a few hours or several days, are we going to lose electricity,” Rooda said.
Rooda added that each person has their specific needs as well, like medication and the needs for pets.
“Other household items would be extra batteries for your radio, if you have extra flashlights,” Rooda continued. “Do you have anything in your car like jumper cables, blankets, non-perishable food, some water, cat litter, scoop shovel and lots of items like that.”
Residents’ emergency to-go bags will come in handy for winter weather instead of waiting to go to get supplies from stores.
Rooda personally prepares during winter weather by making sure she has her to-go bag ready. She makes sure they have plenty of feed and hay for her livestock. For her, it comes down to what food she can make without heat like non-perishable items.
She is busy with her job, so she makes sure all the contacts she needs are printed off and has a battery back up so she can charge her cell phone. Rooda also makes sure that if she needs to be in town that she arrives before the storm hits.
Rooda also makes sure that if the Sedalia warming shelter is open that it has a backup generator so they have electricity the entire time.
Rooda also provided a refresher about the signs of frostbite. Frostbite will cause loss of feeling or color around your face, fingers and toes so she suggested wearing multiple layers of clothes and making sure you have the right equipment on.
When someone reaches hypothermia, residents will see shivering, exhaustion, fumbling hands, slurred speech and drowsiness. Someone with signs of hypothermia should go to a warm room, warm the center of their body first (chest, neck, head and groin), keep dry and wrap up in a warm blanket including their head and neck.
Rooda and the Missouri State Highway Patrol gave some tips for driving in inclement weather, although both agencies also cautioned against any travel if possible.
• When you travel, make sure your vehicle is completely clean of snow, use your headlights to increase visibility, and reduce your speed when the roadway appears wet or snow is present. Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on.
• During inclement weather, driving the speed limit is not "exercising the highest degree of care." Missouri law states the responsibility of exercising the highest degree of care while driving rests on the driver's shoulders. Adjust your speed to the weather, do not use cruise control and increase your following distance. Allow extra driving time to reach your destination at a slow, safe speed.
• Troopers suggest keeping your fuel tank at least half full. In preparation for winter weather, place an ice scraper, battery booster cables, blankets, extra coats, gloves, water, non-perishable food, first aid kit, flashlight, a small shovel, and a bag of sand or cat litter in your trunk now, before an emergency occurs.
• Before you travel, make sure your cell phone is fully charged and keep it with you. The MSHP emergency number is 1-800-525-5555 (or *55 on a cellular phone). These numbers ring at the nearest troop headquarters.
• Before traveling, check current road conditions at MoDOT’s “Traveler Info Map” available at traveler.modot.org/map.
Rooda highly encourages people to stay home and off the roads for the people who need to be out on it like first responders, emergency vehicles and plows.
“I encourage residents to sign up for Nixle through the Sheriff’s Office website….” Rooda said, noting that residents will be given warnings before a storm hits.
The City of Sedalia’s Public Works Department reminds residents not to park along Emergency Snow Routes during snow emergencies. When more than 2 inches of snow/sleet/ice is expected within a 24-hour period, the City declares a snow emergency and the Emergency Snow Routes are put into effect.
Based on current weather predictions, Street Department crews are expected to be pre-treating roadways early Saturday morning, Jan. 1, according to a news release. Travelers are advised to remain a safe distance from heavy snow removal equipment and salt spreaders as they treat roadways and plow snow/ice.
The release states residents should be aware the city does not immediately plow alleys. With over 140 miles of City streets to plow, the first focus is on clearing streets and then working with the Sanitation Department on alleys that are used for garbage collection.
