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Ice caps Bootheel
*** * Power outages reported throughout area
*** * Second round of winter weather predicted
*** * Police recommend staying off roads
SIKESTON -- Freezing rain, sleet and snow struck the area hard overnight, leaving a big mess this morning.
"Everything is slushy, wet, and freezing," said Diane Kelly, a dispatcher in Mississippi County. "And there are a lot of power lines down and a lot of trees across the road. People are having a hard time getting to their destinations."
The question this morning, though, is what round two of the winter storm would bring. The National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky., advised the area will remain under a winter storm warning through 6 a.m. Wednesday, which is expected to produce a variety of winter precipitation types, mainly sleet and freezing rain. Tonight, it is predicted to change to mainly snow.
Downed trees and power lines seemed to be the norm across the area with those in New Madrid and Mississippi counties reporting some outages.
In Sikeston, a short-term power outage occurred around midnight, affecting about three-quarters of the city, due to the still-fragile state of the Coleman substation following a fire last week, according to a news release from the Sikeston Department of Public Safety. "Power was again restored within a couple of hours, however it is very likely we will have more outages due to the overtaxed substation and ice accumulation," said Sgt. Jim McMillen, public information officer.
Just after 8 a.m., AmerenUE's Web site reported 847 outages in Sikeston's 63801 ZIP code. The online map indicated the hardest hit areas in terms of power outages were centered in Sikeston and Kennett/Malden.
In the news release, McMillen reminded residents to contact Sikeston BMU, or whatever their provider, with power-related issues. "If you see a downed power line, stay away from it and contact our department," he added. "Do not approach any suspected downed power line. Downed lines are very dangerous and could energize objects or the ground around them."
The roof failed in one Sikeston business overnight, largely due to the winter weather. Around 3:30 a.m., DPS responded to Rhodes 101 Convenience Store call regarding a large amount of water coming through the ceiling. Code Enforcement officers were also on the scene, and the store was closed due to the damage. It is unknown when it will reopen, according to the news release.
Also a major roof leak was reported at Ferguson Medical Clinic.
Law enforcement continued to remind people to stay in if possible.
"Stay home -- do not try to get out on the road," advised Tommy Horton, dispatcher at Stoddard County. "Get an emergency kit ready to go with warm clothing and batteries because you might need it in a few hours."
As of Tuesday morning, area residents seemed to heed the warnings, as there were few accidents reported in the area. Julia York, a dispatcher in New Madrid County, said "a couple of wrecks" were reported on Interstate 55.
There were two injury accidents on the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Web site. Around 8:15 p.m. Monday, an accident occurred on Route H, five miles north of Miner, when a vehicle driven by Zachery E. Bohnert, 18, of Sikeston, failed to yield at an intersection and struck a vehicle driven by Douglas Sitzes, 62, of Sikeston. Sitzes had minor injuries and was transported to Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. No injuries were reported for Bohnert.
Another ice-related accident occurred this morning around 6:50 a.m. on Interstate 55, three miles north of New Madrid. A northbound vehicle driven by Tristan W. McCollam, 46, of Chaska, Minn., ran off the roadway and struck a guardrail, coming to rest in the center median, due to the ice-covered roadway. Injured in the accident was McCollam's passenger, Theodora M. Szymanski, 53, of Joliet, Ill. She was transported by ambulance to Missouri Delta Medical Center and treated for minor injuries.
All the schools in the area canceled classes, and some businesses, including the Mississippi County Courthouse, were closed today.
With all the outages, Kelly said she and other dispatchers have fielded several calls asking about emergency shelters.
"Contact your local law enforcement for more information," she advised. "But any schools that have power will likely be turned into shelters."