WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING
A winter storm warning is in effect for most of Southeast Missouri until 6 am Tuesday morning and for Northeast Arkansas and the Missouri bootheel until midnight tonight.
According to the National Weather Service, the storm system will bring heavy snow to the region with total snow accumulations of six to 12 inches possible. Many areas received minor snow accumulations last night and early this morning.
Weather officials are expecting the heaviest snow to start falling later this morning.
In addition to the snow, north winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts of 20 to 30 mph will likely cause blowing and drifting of the snow as well as bitterly cold wind chills. Wind chill values will range from 0 to negative 15 degrees.
Weather officials say that another storm is taking aim at the area later this week. This storm system is expected to bring significant amounts of precipitation Wednesday and Thursday, mainly in the form of snow in Southeast Missouri.
RESIDENTS ADVISED TO AVOID DRIVING DURING WINTER WEATHER
Southeast Missouri residents are being advised to avoid all non-essential travel today.
Snowfall accumulations are creating dangerous conditions for driving, and officials with the Missouri Department of Transportation say that both morning and evening commutes today will be impacted
If you must travel during the storm, make sure to have a full tank of gas, extra blankets and gloves, as well as provisions like water and snacks in the event of an emergency. Keep your cellphone charged, but do not use it while driving.
While driving, remember to buckle up, give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination, and remember to give snowplows room to work. Don’t tailgate or attempt to pass them. In the event of a crash, stay buckled inside your vehicle until help arrives.
You can find road conditions online by using MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org, or through MoDOT’s free smartphone app, available for iPhone and Android phones.
WARMING CENTERS OPEN IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
With wind chill values dropping below zero degrees, several warming centers have opened in Southeast Missouri.
According to the National Weather Service, wind chill values are expected to get as low as -12 today and -10 degrees tomorrow in Poplar Bluff.
Warming centers have been set up at numerous locations in Southeast Missouri, including the Butler County Health Department and the Poplar Bluff Public Library in Poplar Bluff.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has also made a website available for finding warming centers in your area at https://ogi.oa.mo.gov/DHSS/warmingCenter/.
BUTLER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES NEW VACCINE CLINIC FOR THIS WEEK
The Butler County Health Department has announced another round of Covid-19 vaccines will be distributed this week.
According to health officials, the next clinic will be on February 17th from 8 am to 4 pm at the Black River Coliseum. The clinic will be for people receiving their first dose and will be open to those who fall in the current tiers and phases of the Missouri State Plan.
To register for the clinic, go to CovidVaccine.MO.gov/navigator.
Officials say that anyone who was registered to receive the second dose of the vaccine last Friday at the Black River Coliseum, but could not make it due to road conditions, will be contacted soon to set up an appointment for February 16th.
Anyone who received their first Covid-19 vaccination at Hydro Adventure on January 22nd or at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center on January 23rd and still have not received their second dose is asked to email bchc@semo.net.
WRECK DISRUPTS POWER FOR PARTS OF POPLAR BLUFF
A Friday wreck disrupted power for portions of Poplar Bluff.
According to authorities, the wreck occurred Friday evening on Westwood Boulevard near the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center.
The vehicle struck a utility pole causing power to go out for a stretch of Westwood Boulevard for a short time. The driver was transported to a Cape Girardeau hospital.
