The Missouri Dept. of Transportation held its annual Winter Weather Drill last week to get ready for the season ahead.
But what kind of winter is Missouri in for?
Even MoDOT’s Chief Safety and Operations Officer Becky Allmeroth who has been with the department for 30 years is still checking multiple sources for clues.
“Look at the woolly worms,” said Allmeroth. “Look at some of the Persimmon seeds and also listen to our professionals. The meteorologists we are preparing and expecting a little more harsh winter than your average winter. So very similar to last year’s winter. That was a little above average, but we’ll absolutely be prepared.”
Allmeroth told Missourinet that the agency has filled its supplies and continues prepping for whatever the season may bring.
“Every single one of our buildings is full,” said Allmeroth. “We had no trouble getting salts, and we also have contracts in place just in case we use a little more. If it’s a harsh winter, we have replenishment contracts to get more salt.”
MoDOT is trying something new to boost winter staffing—offering 8- and 12-hour shifts.
Allmeroth said the change is already attracting school bus drivers to help with snow operations.
“So, they know that they will not be driving a bus the day that the snow actually occurs, but they’re a little apprehensive to do a 12-hour shift in case they have to drive that bus to the next day,” said Allmeroth. “So, we’ve got quite a few of those school bus drivers that said, hey, yeah, I can come and do the 8-hour shift.”
MoDOT has about 2,400 snowplow operators across the state involved in clearing the roads and bridges when winter weather hits this year.
According to MoDOT roughly 16% of their plow operators have less than one year of experience, and 40% have less than three years of experience.
Copyright © 2025 · Missourinet