Winter Storm Hits Columbia and Boone County: Here’s What You Need to Know

News Summary

Columbia and Boone County faced a severe winter storm bringing around 5 inches of snow and additional ice. City officials have implemented snow removal operations, while residents are encouraged to stay safe and minimize travel. Schools have shifted to remote learning, and public services like trash collection have been affected. The community is coming together to tackle the challenging conditions while enjoying the winter wonderland.

Winter Storm Hits Columbia and Boone County: Here’s What You Need to Know

Columbia, known for its friendly community and vibrant atmosphere, faced a wintry challenge this past weekend as a severe winter storm swept through the area, blanketing it in a thick layer of snow and ice. Residents woke up to discover that Mother Nature had delivered a hefty 5 inches of snow, just shy of the forecasted amount of 4 to 11 inches. On top of the snow, about 1/2-inch of additional precipitation added to the chill, making walking outside a slippery affair.

City’s Response to Winter Wonderland

The city of Columbia and Boone County officials wasted no time in gearing up for the snow removal efforts. Columbia Public Works crews kicked off the day on Monday to tackle the snow-covered roads. Initially, the focus was on clearing the priority routes to ensure essential travel paths remained accessible.

In a change from their usual protocol, plow crews opted for an outer-to-inner approach for clearing neighborhood streets, rather than starting in the center and moving outward. This method aims to be more effective in managing the road conditions. Residents were kindly asked to keep their vehicles parked off priority routes to assist the crews in their snow-clearing efforts.

What’s Happening Around Town?

The situation didn’t just stop with plowing streets. Downtown Columbia is set for a snow hauling operation throughout Monday, which means even more action in keeping the city functional. Unfortunately, Monday’s trash collection was canceled, and residents might want to prepare for potentially delayed or suspended collections on Tuesday, depending on how the weather continues to shape up. Curbside recycling collection has also been put on hold through Wednesday.

Transport and Utility Updates

As for public transportation, the Go COMO bus service started late at 10 a.m. Monday, operating on a limited Saturday route. The paratransit services, however, were suspended for the day, with emergency assistance information being directed to 911. Meanwhile, utility crews in the area are on standby for any problems like downed lines or water main breaks, but reports showed no outages as of Monday morning.

Police and Airport Services React

In light of the storm, Columbia Police Department introduced a delayed response protocol for non-emergency situations, helping ensure their resources are available when absolutely needed. Columbia Regional Airport faced challenges with icy conditions impacting air traffic, leading to cancellations of three incoming and four outgoing flights on Monday.

Schools Go Virtual

In an effort to keep students safe and learning on track, Columbia Public Schools and the University of Missouri decided to shift to remote operations for Monday. This change allowed students to continue their education while avoiding hazardous travel conditions.

Road Safety and Community Spirit

2,000 calls for service statewide due to various snow-related incidents. Residents were strongly encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel to help with the snow removal process and keep everyone safe.

While some community members took the memo seriously, others embraced the winter spirit, heading outdoors to enjoy some fun in the snow—whether that meant sledding, building snowmen, or simply taking in the winter wonderland around them. Local wildlife, too, seemed to be keeping a close eye on the weather, with birds foraging and critters seeking shelter.

Stay Safe, Columbia!

As Columbia and Boone County cope with this unexpected winter storm, it is a great reminder for everyone to stay warm, stay safe, and keep an eye on local updates. Whether you’re shoveling snow or warming up inside with a hot drink, the community is coming together to weather this storm, literally and figuratively!