The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

COLUMBIA, MO. -- Update: Wed. Feb. 2 at 8:50 a.m.

Columbia officials continue to ask residents to not travel if you don't have to Wednesday. Snow plows are out working 12 hour shifts clearing streets, but crews say they still have a lot of work ahead of them.

Columbia snow plows have 500 miles of road to clear. Wednesday morning their focus remains the highest travel streets. Crews say those are still snow covered. Crews will start tackling residential streets today.

Once again, city crews ask you to move any cars that are in the roadway.

Original Story:

Columbia police are asking that citizens do not leave their homes unless it becomes absolutely necessary.

That advice became popular as things were quiet in the college town during Tuesday’s blizzard conditions.

Road crews didn’t have to work around very much traffic as very few people traveled on Columbia’s streets, roads and bridges during the blizzard conditions.  Tow truck drivers say they weren’t very busy during the morning rush hour since most businesses and schools were closed.  By afternoon, whiteout conditions shut down Interstate 70 through Columbia.

I-70 Towing Operator Doug O’Connor said, “It’s kind of a once in a lifetime thing, really.  It’s kind of different conditions here today with the wind.”

18 Columbia snow plow drivers are working in 12 hour shifts.  City leaders say it will take several days to get priority streets clear.  They say it will take even longer before trucks can make passes on residential streets.  The MU campus is a ghost town.  Classes were canceled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

City officials say there have been very few slide offs and car crashes.  The biggest problem is people slipping and falling.  City officials say you should be cautious of slippery conditions.  Falls and slips can be life-threatening.

Public Communications Officer Renee Graham said, “It’s not just enough to stay off the roads.  The way to keep your self safe is to stay inside.  Don’t go out and check your mail.  Don’t go out and shovel snow.  Stay in where it is safe because it’s really slick out there.  The snow is blowing.  Visibility is low.  Stay inside where it is safe and warm.”

City officials say this is just the beginning.  Once the snow clears, it’s still going to take some time to get back to normal as temperatures drop below zero later this week.