Poplar Bluff and the surrounding area have weathered the first stage of the winter storms passing through.
The freezing rain is largely done, and does not seem to have exceeded the forecasted 0.18 inches within city limits. Nevertheless, MoDOT warns that highways and state routes are partly covered in ice, and Highway 60 is listed as completely covered from the intersection of Highway DD to Sikeston. Some roads to the southeast, including Missouri 51 and 53, were listed as clear as of 6:30 p.m.
The Butler County Courthouse will be closed tomorrow.
Director of Emergency Management Services in Butler County Robbie Myers said Butler County is now entering a lull. Up to three inches of sleet and snow are expected tonight and tomorrow but fortunately the risk of power outages decreases as freezing rain moves out of the area.
“For our immediate area, we are comfortable that threat is minimal at this point,” he said.
Overnight temperature are dropping into the 20s, and Myers said warming shelters opened 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, FCC Behavioral Health and Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church. Pets are not permitted, but a meal and cots are set up to serve people struggling against the cold. More information is available by calling or texting 573-429-9369.
“Anyone that needs anything, they’re encouraged to come here,” said Myers.
The real danger will arise tomorrow from the forecasted 1-3 inches of sleet and snow, according to Michael York with National Weather Service Paducah.
“If you melt it down, one inch of liquid is equal to about three inches of sleet, whereas one inch of liquid is equal to 12 inches of snow...That’s a lot of sleet and that’s pretty tough going. It’s ice pellets and it gets compacted, and it will be very, very hazardous travel to say the least,” York explained.
Myers also urged people to stay off the roads in the morning hours.
The morning hours are likely to produce mostly sleet, with snow following in the afternoon. Wind chills will reach the single digits at night.
The winter storm warning ends tomorrow night. York expects a stretch of calm weather afterwards, and highs may reach into the 50s in the middle of next week.
More information is available at traveler.modot.org and weather.gov.