SCHUYLER COUNTY, MO --
Now that the majority of major interstates and highways are snow free, Governor Nixon gave an executive order on Friday to call on MoDOT assistance for 44 counties in the state that had record snowfall over the last few days.
"Many Missouri counties and cities need our help. We will do everything we can to return road conditions back to normal, so vital health care, education and commerce can resume throughout Missouri," said Governor Jay Nixon.
MoDOT Assistant District Engineer Kevin James said this was a storm of epic proportions.
"It’s the first time I’ve been with MoDOT that the governor has asked MoDOT to assist with the counties with this magnitude of snowfall," said James.
MoDOT in Schuyler county was busy at work Saturday morning clearing roads in areas that received over 18 inches of snow. Along side Schulyler other counties that received help were Knox, Lewis, Linn, Macon and Sullivan counties.
James said roads could get extremely tricky over the next few days as old man winter prepares to make another visit to northern Missouri.
"With all the accumulation we’ve had over the last week there is less room to put the new snow that comes in, so that's one issue that will complicate the next storm to come in" says James.
The state of Missouri receives a budget of around $42 million a year for winter weather, but it’s unclear how much money will be spent on this weeks cleanup.
As for help in the near future, James asks people to contact MoDOT and they will get them the help they need.
"We ask them to call the state emergency management agency so all those requests are routed though our central location and then that group looks what sources are out there, then they are able to respond where assistance is needed” said James
MoDOT also has three safety steps incase another winter storm comes barreling down on northern Missouri. Be sure to allow extra time from your home to your destination, obey the speed limit and of course always buckle up.