WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas are bracing for a major winter weather event this week.
According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm warning with the possibility of some areas seeing over eight inches of snow falling.
Senior Forecaster Derrick Snyder with the National Weather Service tells us more.
“The National Weather Service office in Paducah, Kentucky, is forecasting an impactful winter storm that will affect the region through Wednesday. All of southeast Missouri is under a Winter Storm Warning, while the rest of the region remains under a Winter Storm Watch. Several inches of heavy snow and travel impacts are likely.
The accumulating snow will spread from northwest to southeast across the region Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night.
Accumulating snow will end from west to east during the early to mid-morning hours Wednesday.
Following the snow, dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills are expected the latter half of the week. Multiple days with lows in the single digits and wind chill values below zero degrees Thursday morning are forecast.”
TWO FLOWN FROM THE SCENE OF A CRASH NEAR NEELYVILLE
Two people were flown from the scene of a crash Sunday night in southern Butler County.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the crash occurred at around 7:30 pm, on US Highway 67 in the Neelyville area, when a vehicle crossed the center line and struck another vehicle.
The drivers of both vehicles, a 35 year old man from Wappapello and a 25 year old man from Poplar Bluff, were both flown to a St. Louis hospital with serious injuries.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI RESIDENTS URGED TO USE CAUTION IF DRIVING DURING WINTER WEATHER
Southeast Missouri residents are being advised to use extreme caution if they are getting out on the roadways later today or tomorrow during the expected winter weather.
According to the National Weather Service, heavy snowfall is expected to begin at some point this afternoon or evening in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.
If you must travel while snow is covering the roadways, 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.
TIPS FOR MAKING SURE YOUR HOME IS PREPARED FOR COLDER WEATHER
In addition to the expected snow this week, weather officials are predicting a cold snap to drop temperatures to close to zero, so now is the best time to make sure that your home is prepared.
Extreme cold can cause water pipes in your home to freeze and sometimes rupture or break.
When you are expecting very cold or freezing temperatures leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously, keep the temperature inside your home warm, and open cabinet doors beneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow heated air to reach pipes.
Use fireplaces, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak gas from the flue or exhaust into the indoor air space.
Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements. Make sure to keep them away from any flammable materials, like curtains or blankets.
More tips are available at cdc.gov.
MAN SENTENCED TO OVER TWO DECADES IN PRISON FOR HIS ROLE IN KENNETT SHOOTING
A Southeast Missouri man will be spending over two decades in prison for his role in a 2017 shooting in Dunklin County.
According to the Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, 46 year old Johnny Phillips, of Steele, was convicted in November on charges of assault in the 1st degree, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon.
The charges stem from an incident in Kennett where Phillips pulled a handgun out and shot the victim in the chest during an argument, resulting in the victim being airlifted to the hospital.
Phillips was sentenced to 17 years on the assault charge, three years on the armed criminal action charge, and four years on the weapon charge.
NEW MADRID COUNTY BRIDGE OVER OTTER SLOUGH TO BE REPLACED
Route E in New Madrid County will be closed for over three months as contractor crews replace the bridge over Otter Slough.
The section of roadway being closed is located between County Road 829 and County Road 845 near Morehouse.
Weather permitting, officials say that completion is anticipated by Sunday, May 18. Officials say that the road will remain closed until work is completed.
