MoDOT helps clear county roads

JEFFERSON CITY -- On Monday rews from the Missouri Department of Transportation will finish snow-clearing from approximately 1,200 miles of roads in 16 counties that requested help after experiencing record amounts of snow in last week's blizzard.

On Friday, Gov. Jay Nixon directed MoDOT to help clear snow in counties that received record amounts of snow in order that Missourians could receive vital medical services and safely get back to school and work. Sixteen of the 44 counties that had record snow requested the assistance from the state.

MODOT mobilized more than 75 vehicles -- including snowplow trucks, graders and backhoes -- to clear snow from roads in the counties that requested help. Those counties included Barton, Caldwell, Camden, Dade, Grundy, Johnson, Knox, Lafayette, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Miller, St. Clair, Schuyler, Sullivan and Vernon.

"Over the weekend, MoDOT crews ably handled the clearing of snow on local roads, after they had spent several days clearing our state and federal highways," Gov. Nixon said. "They were up to the massive challenge thrown at them by Nature, and they helped keep Missouri moving."

In advance of the historic storm, Gov. Nixon on the afternoon of Jan. 31 declared a state of emergency for all of Missouri. The order activated the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan, which allowed state agencies to assist local jurisdictions with emergency preparation and response.

The governor also activated some 600 members of the Missouri National Guard, so they could be positioned around the state to provide help where it was needed most, and directed that emergency generators be deployed around the state.

"The preparation for, and response to, this winter storm made a tremendous difference in returning things to normal in Missouri," Gov. Nixon said. "I greatly appreciate the dedication and tireless work of the men and women at the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Missouri National Guard, the State Emergency Management Agency, MoDOT, the Department of Public Safety and other state agencies to help their fellow Missourians through this historic event."