Governor Blunt says he’s satisfied with how the state has responded to the ice and snow storm that roared through the state. Blunt declared Missouri in a state of emergency in wake of the storm, triggering response from a variety of state agencies and activating the National Guard. Nearly 300 Guardsmen are in the greater St. Louis area, which has experienced widespread power outages due to the ice storm. The Missouri Department of Transportation continues to struggle against the elements and numerous wrecks that have clogged the two interstates hit hardest by the snowstorm. MoDOT re-opened I-70 Friday morning, but hasn’t been able to clear all the lanes for normal traffic flow. Trouble spots remain between the Marshall Junction and Kingdom City as well as in Montgomery County. Road crews are working to clear the interstate, but have been delayed in their work each time a semi tractor-trailer jack-knifes. I-44 experienced major backups near the cities of Rolla, St. James and Cuba. Traffic is slow going on both interstates. Governor Blunt discourages travel, unless necessary, so that road crews can restore traffic. Blunt tells reporters during a briefing at the State Emergency Management Agency in Jefferson City that the National Guard has moved 35 heavy vehicles into the St. Louis area to help in clean-up and power restoration efforts. A state generator is in Washington County to provide power to Potosi’s water system. An additional 20 state generators are available if needed. The state is providing warming stations at the Wainwright, Midtown and Prince Hall state buildings in St. Louis. The American Red Cross has established five emergency shelters in the city: the Wohl Recreation Center in St. Louis, the John F. Kennedy Community Center in Florissant, the Arnold Recreation Center, the Farmington Civic Center and the Westhaven Elementary School across the state line in Belleville, Illinois.
Related web sites:
State Emergency Management Agency
MODOT Road Conditions
American Red Cross, St. Louis
