WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FOR MISSOURI BOOTHEEL
A winter storm warning is in effect for the Missouri Bootheel and Northeast Arkansas through this evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Memphis, heavy snow is expected with total snow accumulations of four to six inches possible. The Winter Storm Warning is expected to be in effect through 6 pm Thursday.
The National Weather Service in Paducah says that the rest of Southeast Missouri is under a Winter Weather Advisory until noon today.
Total snow accumulations of one to three inches are expected, however up to 4 inches of snow accumulation cannot be ruled out in a few locations closer to the Missouri and Arkansas border.
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE MEMBERS ASKED TO REDUCE ELECTRIC USAGE
Residents in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas have been asked to reduce their electric usage in order to prevent rolling blackouts.
Associated Electric Cooperative, which provides power generation and transmission to many electric cooperatives in Missouri, announced plans for rolling blackouts yesterday before cancelling them.
According to a post on the Ozark Border Electric Cooperative’s Facebook page, there is no time frame set for rolling blackouts to begin or if they will even happen at all for Ozark Border.
Last night, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas announced that they were forced to implement emergency contingency plans that included short-term, rotating power curtailments at some local electric cooperatives. Officials say that the curtailments were discontinued at 9 pm, however the situation remains critical.
DATES ANNOUNCED FOR COVID 19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION IN CARTER COUNTY
Officials in Carter County have announced new dates for distribution of the COVID-19 Vaccine.
According to the Carter County Health Center, if you were scheduled for your initial dose of the COVID vaccine on February 11th, your appointment has been moved to Tuesday, February 23rd.
This will be a walk-through event, so you will come into the health department to receive your vaccination. Appointment times will remain the same.
Individuals that were scheduled for their second dose of COVID vaccine on February 18th or 19th have had their appointments moved to Thursday, February 25th at the same times. All of these vaccinations will be done in a drive-thru format.
Southeast Health has announced that all of their COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Dexter have been postponed. Individuals enrolled in these clinics will be notified by email or phone to reschedule.
DRIVERS URGED TO BE CAUTIOUS DURING MORNING COMMUTE
A second round of winter weather is hitting Southeast Missouri this morning and the Missouri Department of Transportation is urging drivers to be cautious during the morning commute.
Officials say that drivers should try to stay off the roads until any snow has stopped falling, if possible.
The chemicals used to treat the roads lose their effectiveness in the bitterly cold temperatures that we are experiencing.
Any thawing that occurred during daylight hours yesterday possibly refroze overnight causing patches of black ice and slippery road conditions, particularly on elevated surfaces like bridges and overpasses.
Remember to watch out for snowplows and give them plenty of room to work.
According to the Highway Patrol, as of 8 pm last night troopers in Southeast Missouri assisted 57 stranded motorists on Tuesday and worked eight crashes, none of which involved injuries or fatalities.
RESIDENTS IN TWO AREA COMMUNITIES ADVISED TO BOIL THEIR WATER
Residents in two Southeast Missouri communities were advised to start boiling their water yesterday.
City officials in Naylor issued a boil water advisory on Tuesday due to the use of the auxiliary well. Residents should boil water for five minutes before drinking it or using it to cook with. It is safe to take baths and showers as well as to wash clothes and dishes, just don’t add bleach. The advisory is in effect until further notice.
The city of Qulin has also announced they are under a boil water advisory until further notice. No information was given on the cause for Qulin’s advisory.
FIRE OFFICIALS URGE RESIDENTS TO USE SPACE HEATERS SAFELY
Fire officials are urging area residents to remember to use space heaters safely.
If you are using a space heater to heat up portions of your home, do not leave it unattended. Always unplug it before you leave the house or go to bed. Remember not to use an extension cord for the heater as that can cause it to overheat.
Make sure not to place the heater near curtains, clothing, furniture or bedding and don’t place it in the bathroom.
According to the Hayti Fire Department, firefighters were dispatched to a fully involved structure fire Monday Night. The home was unoccupied at the time but it was later learned that the homeowners were home when the fire started.
Officials say the fire was caused by a turbo style heater that was being used to help unthaw some frozen water lines.
