CT Photo 01 07 10

CAPTION: Large snow piles which grew overnight and nearly desolate streets downtown this morning were the results of a snowstorm which began Wednesday afternoon and continued into the early morning hours. The National Weather Service reported that Chillicothe received 4 inches of snow. Today marks the sixth straight day of temperatures that have stayed below the freezing mark. Of the last 13 days, only two have made it above 32 degrees. The lowest temperature of 2010 so far has been minus 9.

Much of northwest Missouri was shoveling out from under a 4-inch blanket of snow today and many of those who didn’t have to leave their homes today chose to stay indoors. Snow began falling around noon Wednesday and continued heavily into the evening. By morning, an official 4 inches of snow had fallen, prompting classes to be dismissed in the Chillicothe R-2 School District. Classes at Bishop Hogan Memorial School, however, remained in session.

As of noon, U.S. Highways 36 and 65 remained snow-covered, according to Roger Anderson, regional maintenance supervisor with the Missouri Department of Transportation. He said crews are plowing the highways but that the high winds are keeping crews from shooting chemicals to speed the melting process. The high winds are creating significant snow drifts especially in the open areas.
“I think some of the drifts we have plowed through are a couple of feet deep,” he said. “The blacktops are pretty treacherous. We’re trying to keep them open to one lane.”

The state crews are also battling mechanical difficulties with air lines freezing and batteries going dead. He said his crews’ priority is working on keeping Highways 65 and 36 clear. “The wind is really hindering our cleanup,” he said. Crews will remain out continuously through Friday, at least, he said.

City street and highway crews were out all night and expected to be out nonstop at least through this evening. Despite their efforts, the less traveled roads remained snow packed and ice covered. Heavy winds prevailed blowing snow into drifts throughout the area.

Chillicothe Street Superintendent Hugh Musselman said that despite his crews’ efforts, the streets remained covered. “The biggest problem is that the wind is blowing everywhere we have cleared and treated and blowing back onto the roadways,” he said. Crews were trying to smooth out the surfaces and widen them the best they can before the even colder weather arrives. “Once the colder weather hits that will be hard to do,” Musselman said.

Mayor Chuck Haney has put into effect the emergency snow routes, effective today that will run until the snow quits blowing and drifts are cleared.

When an emergency is proclaimed, it is unlawful to park or leave parked any motor vehicle on or along any of the emergency snow routes. (Ord. 83-20, 11/14/83).

Any person violating the ordinance above shall be deemed guilty of an ordinance violation and upon conviction, shall be fined no less than $10 and no more that $100. The Police Department is also authorized to remove the motor vehicle at the expense of the owner. (Ord. 83-20, 11/14/83)

The following streets are hereby designated as Emergency Snow Routes:

Washington Street from Third Street to Bryan Street 
Locust Street from Third Street to Polk Street 
Elm Street from Clay Street to Polk Street 
Cherry Street from Third Street to Bryan Street 
Walnut Street from Third Street to Bryan Street 
Broadway from Jackson Street to Trenton Road 
Grandview Avenue from Third Street to Polk Street 
Third Street from Mitchell to Grandview Avenue 
Clay Street from Elm Street to Dickinson Street 
Jackson Street from Elm Street to Dickinson Street 
Webster Street from Broadway Street to Dickinson Street 
Dickinson Street from Third Street to Bryan Street 
Highland/State from Third Street to Polk Street 
Calhoun Street from Broadway to Grandview Avenue 
Polk Street from Broadway to Fairlane 
Wise Street-entire street 
Woodward Street-entire street

CT Photos 01 07 10

Four Inches of Snow Hits Area
Constitution-Tribune, Thursday, Jan 07, 2010

A winter storm hit north Missouri Wednesday afternoon and continued throughout much of the early morning hours on Thursday. The National Weather Service reported an official 4 inches of snow; however, strong winds have created drifts much deeper than 4 inches. Street and highway crews have been out working and this photograph pointed south shows U.S. Highway 65 at the north end of Chillicothe. Chillicothe public schools were closed today; however, Bishop Hogan Memorial School had class.