MULTIPLE INCHES OF SNOW FALLS ON SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Area residents are waking up this morning to what some may consider a winter wonderland.
According to the National Weather Service, multiple inches of snow fell late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.
Officials say that roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, have become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult during your morning commute.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS RESIDENTS URGED TO USE CAUTION IF DRIVING DURING WINTER WEATHER
Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas residents are being advised to use extreme caution if they are getting out on the roadways today.
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.
WARMING CENTERS OPEN IN BUTLER COUNTY TO PROVIDE SHELTER FROM THE COLD
Dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills have prompted area warming centers to open for residents.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah,low temperatures near 10 Wednesday morning and lower single digits Thursday morning will cause wind chills to drop below zero. The greatest impacts from the extreme cold will occur Thursday morning.
In Butler County, the Bread Shed will be acting as an overnight warming center from 7 pm to 7 am this week when the temperatures get below 20 degrees.
The Butler County Health Department and Poplar Bluff Library will serve as warming centers during the daytime hours when they are open.
The United Gospel Rescue Mission in Poplar Bluff is also open for men who need a place to stay during the cold weather.
To find warming centers in your area, go to Health.Mo.Gov/warmingcenters.
TIPS FOR GOING OUTSIDE IN COLDER WEATHER
With freezing temperatures here, the CDC is reminding people to be safe if they have to go outside.
Officials say that you should try to stay indoors during extremely cold weather and any trips that you do make outside should be as brief as possible.
If you do go outside, you should try to wear several layers of loose-fitting clothing, a hat, a scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth, sleeves that are snug at the wrist, and mittens or gloves.
Also do your best to stay dry, as wet clothing chills the body quickly.
Make sure to watch for hypothermia as well. In adults, warning signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion or feeling very tired, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness. In babies, signs include bright red, cold skin, and very low energy.
More information is available at cdc.gov.
FOOT PURSUIT IN CLAY COUNTY COMES TO AN END WHEN DEPUTY DEPLOYS TASER
A subject was taken into custody following a foot pursuit last week in Clay County.
Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole tells KWOC News that on Friday, a Deputy went to a location on County Road 461 to attempt to serve a felony warrant.
While making contact at the residence, deputies noticed a subject running out the back door and a foot pursuit began.
During the foot pursuit the subject reportedly threw a small baggy with a crystal substance on the ground.
Cole says that when the deputy caught up to the subject, he had to deploy his taser to place the subject in custody.
22 year old Jayger Harmon, of Piggott, was booked in the Clay County Detention Center on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, and fleeing.
TRIVIA NIGHT SCHEDULED TO BENEFIT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TRC STUDENTS
A Trivia Night will be held in Poplar Bluff this month to help fund scholarships for Three Rivers College students.
The Three Rivers Endowment Trust will hold its Poplar Bluff Trivia Night fundraiser on February 27th, at Holiday Inn.
Doors will open for dinner at 5 pm, with trivia starting at 6 pm.
Tables are $150 for a six-person team and will include dinner.
To register or sponsor a team, contact Michelle Reynolds at 573-840-9077.
