Lingering Effects Of Storm Closes School Early

The holiday break was set to begin Friday, December 20 for students in the Bourbon School District, but a winter storm that dumped several inches of snow and a glazing of ice led to an extended break.

The storm that began Sunday, December 15 and extended into the next day covered up secondary roads and forced the district to cancel the final week of 2019.

Snowfall totals across the two-day stretch amounted to roughly five inches, according to the National Weather Service.

By the end of the week, the region was experiencing above-average temperatures. The warming trend was a damper for anyone wishing for a white Christmas — temperatures were forecast to reach the high 50s.

For anyone needing a respite from sloppy winter weather, it was welcome, especially after a treacherous few days on area roadways.

Troop I of the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that from midnight December 16 to 3 p.m. that afternoon, they had responded to 66 calls for service, 22 stranded motorists, 10 crashes, two minor injuries and no fatalities.

Across the state, the highway patrol reported that 2,064 calls for service, 666 stranded motorists, 685 crashes and four-weather related fatalities were recorded.

Sixty-six of the crashes led to injuries.

Troop I reported one accident that produced serious injuries.

A driver lost traction on Highway F at Dry Ford Creek Bridge, five miles south of Rolla.

Colleen Marxkors, 60, Rolla, drove a 2005 Ford F-150 off the roadway and into a ditch.

She was wearing a safety device and taken by private vehicle to Phelps County Hospital in Rolla.

Other accidents reported minor injuries.

The Missouri Department of Transportation had about 3,000 snow plow and sand truck drivers battling to keep roads safe, according to Missourinet.