Winter weather causes accidents in region

A stop sign is covered by snow as traffic moves on Kanell Blvd. in Poplar Bluff on Saturday afternoon.

DAR/Brian Rosener

UPDATE

2 p.m. Sunday

Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E had 329 calls for service, assisted 192 stranded motorists and worked 73 crashes through Saturday’s winter weather and overnight. They report roads are mostly clear now, but could re-freeze in the evening.

Updated 5:45 p.m. Saturday

UPDATE

5:45 p.m.

Missouri Highway Patrol Troop E officers have answered 135 calls for service since a winter storm hit the area earlier than projected Saturday, said Public Information Officer Sgt. Clark Parrott. They have worked 29 crashes with two injuries and assisted 55 stranded motorists.

These were the total as of 4 p.m. today, Parrott said, adding, the entire Troop E is covered with snow and ice.

Weather related accidents have closed areas of Highway 67. A semi truck, which turned on it’s side at Cherokee Pass, shut down the Highway 67 about 3 p.m.

Area law enforcement officers have kept busy working accidents in various locations, as well as vehicles slipping into ditches.

Parrott and Craig Meador of the Poplar Bluff Severe Weather Response Team encourage if you don’t have to be out stay off the streets and highways and allow the Missouri Department of Transportation to clear the roads.

Parrott said, if you have to be out slow down and pay attention.

Meador reported eight inches of snow fell in Wayne and Carter counties with Butler County probably will probably have received 4 inches by the time the snow ends.

A semi is seen overturned on Highway 67 near Highway 34.

Missouri Highway Patrol

Meador warned temperatures will be around 19 degrees, but with wind gusts of 35 it will make the wind chill feel like 0 degrees.

Traffic moves on Kanell Blvd. in Poplar Bluff as snow falls Saturday afternoon.

DAR/Brian Rosener

Meador said the storm forecasted for the Southeast Missouri regional moved in earlier than predicted and weather spotters and public safety officials are warning everyone to stay off the streets and highways.

The high Sunday is projected to be 32 degrees, Meador said.

The National Weather Service station at the Poplar Bluff Regional Airport reported 1.16 inches of precipitation had fallen as of 4 p.m. Saturday.

FROM EARLIER

The winter weather storm forecasted for the Southeast Missouri regional is moving in earlier than predicted and weather spotters and public safety officials are warning everyone to stay off the streets and highways.

Craig Meador of the Poplar Bluff Severe Weather Response Team expected the storm to impact travel in the region and already has hit west and north of Poplar Bluff.

Meadows said the weather service projects a possible 2-4 inches of snow.

“Bottom line, the advice is don’t head out,” Meador said, “if you head out to travel, you may slide off in the ditch.

“The storm is moving in a little sooner than predicted and the temperature is falling. Van Buren has heavy snow and the highway patrol reports a number of drivers have slide off the highway and others have had accidents. As of 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Carter County had heavy snow on 60 Highway and the front is advancing easterly.”

Ellsinore area spotters have reported a heavy downpour of snow and the surfaces are all covered, Meador said,

As Meador is driving the area, he reported “on W Highway at Hilliard MoDOT is treating the roads heavily,” he said.

One weather spotter, Steve Seawright, reports in Wayne County on Highway 32 there is heavy snow and the surfaces are covered.

Meador stressed, everyone believes the storm will he a “pretty major impact until midnight or early Sunday morning.” He projects a possible “flash freezing of the surface.”

The high Sunday is projected to be 32 degrees, Meador said.

Meador explained the conference call from the weather service at 11 a.m. “Advised us going our way. Definitely impact our area."

Butler County Emergency Management Director of Robbie Myers explained representatives attending the conference call Saturday included the highway patrol, Butler County Sheriff’s department Poplar Bluff Police and Fire Departments, Butler County Health Center and the three area hospitals.

The Three Rivers College men’s basketball game against West Plains set for Saturday has been postponed until 4 p.m. Sunday.

“A Little Night Music” fundraiser Saturday night at the Rodgers Theatre has been postponed.