Residents urged to stay off roads

Thursday, February 11, 2021
This accident in New Madrid was one of many that have occurred since Wednesday due to icy roadways. Residents are urged to stay off roadways if at all possible.
New Madrid County Police Department Facebook

Roads across the area remain slick and hazardous Thursday morning and law enforcement is encouraging all residents to stay off the roadways.

On Wednesday, Missouri State Highway Patrol officers in Troop E had 227 calls including 102 accidents that resulted in 11 injuries and no fatalities. There were also 89 stranded motorists calls.

As of 8 a.m., Troop E had responded to 16 accidents since midnight with three injuries along with 19 stranded motorist calls.

This accident involving two tractor trailers on Interstate 55 at mile-marker 26 in New Madrid County was caused by black ice, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. One tractor trailer slid on black ice, jackknifed and the second semi struck the trailer. The trailer was loaded with tomatoes. Patrol has warned all drivers to stay off the roads unless necessary and those on the roads are asked to slow down and watch for black ice.
MSHP Troop E Twitter page

The Missouri Department of Transportation issued a No Travel Advisory Thursday for southeast Missouri due to the ongoing icy conditions. According to MoDOT, nearly every road in southeast Missouri was fully or partly covered with ice.

Travel conditions continue to be dangerous Thursday morning as schools in the area are closed as well as many events and businesses. In Sikeston, Sonny’s Solid Waste was unable to pick up trash on Thursday morning while Sikeston City Hall as well as municipal court scheduled for Thursday evening was closed.

Those who must be on the roads are told to slow down and allow plenty of time to reach their destination. Those with a four-wheel drive vehicle or truck are warned they aren’t any better off than other vehicles in roads glazed over with ice.

Road crews are out in force but some treatments do not work if the temperature is under 25 degrees. Temperatures will be in the 20s Thursday but strong winds will put the wind chill in the teens or lower.

While the area is not expected to see any winter precipitation again until Monday, temperatures will remain cold with a high of 27 expected Friday and a high of 23 expected Saturday. On Sunday the National Weather Service predicts a high of just 16 degrees with snow expected to push into the area on Monday.

Travelers can stay informed about Missouri road conditions by using MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map, available online at www.modot.org, or through MoDOT’s smartphone app, available for iPhone and Android phones. The map offers current views of road conditions for Missouri interstates and highways. You can zoom in to a particular location, check live weather radar, and view images from MoDOT’s traffic cameras and message boards.

MoDOT also provides road condition information through its Customer Service Center. Dial 888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636) to speak with a customer service representative 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: