Bye snowfall, hello bitter cold

Blizzard Warning expires at 6 am this morning.......Wind Chill Advisory will be in effect until noon Thursday

Today
Considerable cloudiness in the morning then becoming partly sunny. Areas of blowing snow in the morning. Frigid. Highs around 10. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Wind chill readings 15 below to 20 below zero in the morning.

Tonight
Partly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Frigid. Lows around 9 below. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Wind chill readings 15 below to 20 below zero after midnight.

Many accidents around the area

A Cleveland Mo. man escaped serious injury this morning in an accident on northbound 71 Highway just south of route A. A 1993 Mercury Sable driven by Dean Spurgeon, 19, slid into the rear of a tractor-trailer whose driver who appeared to not be aware of the accident and continued northbound. The Spurgeon car was totaled.

There have been reports of numerous minor accidents and slide offs around the area and no serious injuries so far. The Bates County Sheriff's Department has stepped up patrols and indicate there are many vehicles stuck along roadways around the county.

The forecast calls for winds to increase to 20 - 30 mph overnight which will inevitably cause extreme drifting of snow. Use extreme caution if you must travel, otherwise stay home for at least the next day or so.

BCMH February Employee of the Month

Kelley Robb is recognized as the Bates County Memorial Hospital Employee of the Month for February, 2011. Kelley has been employed at the hospital since 1999 as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Kelley is considered to be one of the kindest and most thoughtful nurses to work with. She shows respect and concern to her patients and co-workers. Kelley is a compassionate and knowledgeable nurse, and an asset to the hospital.

Yoss Thriftway closing at 3 p.m. today

Yoss Thriftway in Adrian will be closing at 3 p.m. today. The store will be open tomorrow at 8 a.m.

City of Butler at Level 2 Emergency status

Butler Mayor Don Malan has moved the City of Butler to Level 2 Emergency status, meaning that the Emergency Operation Center has been activated and several city departments are in the process of clearing streets and side roads.

Nearly a foot of snow
in Adrian

Likewise, Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson is reminding everyone that many rural highways and county roads are impassible and urges everyone to stay at home. Please note that even though local emergency services including Butler and Adrian fire departments have staffed their stations with personnel, response time to an emergency will be delayed. Although the sheriff's department has also upped the number of units on patrol, response time is likely to be slow.

It is highly advisable to have working flashlights, water, snacks/food available for the next 72 hours. Remember, do not run any type of gasoline powered generator in a confined place. Move the generator outside and run cords in as needed. Also do not use space heaters without proper ventilation.

In the event of a significant power outage, we will post shelter information as it becomes available. 

Again, everyone is urged to stay at home until the storm passes.

Update on accidents, cancellations

The Butler City Council meeting scheduled for tonight has been rescheduled for next Tuesday, Feb. 8th. The finance committee will meet prior to the meeting next Tuesday.

There are reports of numerous slide offs around the area with several along the Highway 71 Corridor. A slide off accident involving two tractor-trailer units is in the wrap up stages on 71 just South of Rich Hill, among others.

It is highly recommended that everyone avoid travel and stay at home if at all possible.

You may view live radar here.

A word from Osage Valley Electric Cooperative...

Our entire workforce is on alert and will be ready to work around the clock as necessary to make any inconveniences as short as possible. Members who experience power interruptions are asked to call 800-889-6832 to report the outage.

Frequent updates will be provided to local media so tune into your local radio station and our website www.osagevalley.com for the most up-to-date information.

And, remember the following tips:


► Be sure to have a corded telephone available.
► Locate flashlights, a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries.
► If you own a portable generator, now would be good time to make certain the generator is in proper working order.
► Stay away from downed power lines. Treat all power lines as though they are energized, keep other people away and report it to Osage Valley Electric Cooperative immediately.
► Be sure to turn off all appliances that were "on" or "running" when the power went out.
► When using a portable generator be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and operate the generator outdoors to avoid deadly fumes from accumulating in the house. Never connect a portable generator to your home’s main electrical panel or plug it into an electrical outlet of your home because it could back feed onto our electrical system and endanger line workers and others without a double-pole, double throw transfer switch.

With the weather forecast predicting freezing rain, high winds and considerable snow beginning later this evening and continuing through Wednesday for the Osage Valley Electric Cooperative service territory, we want to assure members that our workforce will be ready to step into action.

Dangerous weather conditions forecast over the next 72 hours

Winter Storm Warning and Blizzard Warning remain in effect through today

Today

Snow and isolated thunderstorms. Widespread blowing snow. Blustery. Snow may be heavy at times. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times. Snow accumulation of 11 to 15 inches. Highs in the lower 20s. North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around 40 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

Tonight

Snow. Widespread blowing snow. Blustery... colder. Snow may be heavy at times. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times. Snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Storm total snow accumulation of 12 to 17 inches. Frigid. Lows around 4. North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around 40 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent. Wind chill readings 10 below to 15 below zero after midnight.

Wednesday

Cloudy in the morning then becoming partly sunny. Blustery. Areas of blowing snow. Frigid. Highs around 11. North winds 15 to 25 mph shifting to the northwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Wind chill readings 10 below to 15 below zero in the morning.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear. Dangerously cold wind chills. Lows around 10 below. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Wind chill readings 15 below to 25 below zero after midnight.