As St. Louis recovers from snowstorm, Mid-Missourians fight downed power lines and frozen trees

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - While most of east Missouri saw significant snowfall early this week, Bismarck was looking at frozen trees. The storm was so strong and sudden, dozens of powerlines fell to the ground across the city.

That was difficult for two reasons — first, the snowplows couldn’t get out on the power line-covered streets, allowing snow and ice to pile up. Second, whole blocks of the city — and much of the surrounding area — suddenly were out of power and heat.

The Mayor of Bismarck, Seth Radford, tells First Alert 4 that snow is usually not a concern for Bismarck — just part of life in St. Francois County. But with 3/4-1 inch of ice, the roads became dangerous for anyone.

Radford says that power was out until Wednesday, and even today residents in some areas have no power. The volunteer fire department and police officers were driving between powerlines and across ice to pick up stranded residents and bring them to a warming shelter. It was set up in the Chamber of Commerce basement — and local restaurants provided food. In fact, a number of residents spent the night.

Even as the roads iced over, local residents — like Kimberly Dollar, the of the Senior Center in town — were heading in to do their part. She was prepping dozens of frozen meals to be dropped off at seniors homes who are trapped inside. She’s giving them an extra helping — in case this storm is as intense as the last.

Today, crews from across the state started the long process of clearing the roads of fallen trees and broken limbs and handling the very icy roads. With most of the power concerns handled for now, the Mayor says the city is focusing on handling the roads.

Dan Brown, who runs the local Train Station Antique store, said the roads were very tough. It was quite a drive getting in. He was thankful that he didn’t lose power, but keeps backup food and a generator on his property.

With snow in the forecast again tomorrow, he’s concerned about compacting complications from the storm on Sunday and the storm on Friday.

The school was hit as well — a giant tree falling and crushing a fence — impacting a building on the campus' baseball fields. The Mayor says damage totals and repair costs are unknown today. He believes it will be tough for the small town to cover the costs of the storm.

First Alert 4 was hoping to speak with the superintendent — but he was unfortunately snowed in and wasn’t able to meet with the reporter and mayor.

The warming shelter is set to open again on Friday and can be reached at 573-431-3131. Residents can find information about staying there, and Radford says they’ve sheltered folks rescued from nearby communities.

He says he’s filing with SEMA, the state emergency agency, for help with the impacts of the storm. The Mayor uses oxygen himself, and says he knows many residents face challenges meeting medical needs in the storm.

The storm damage was so intense, city officials tell First Alert 4 they had to bring in tree-cleaning crews from as far north as St. Louis.

What the final impact of the storm will be for Bismarck is unclear, but residents say if they stick together they’ll get through it.

Avery Martinez covers water, ag & the environment for First Alert 4. He is also a Report for America corps member, as well as a member of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk. His coverage goes from corn farms to hunting concerns, and local water rates to rancher mental health.

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