“We want everyone to stay home” MODOT prepares ahead of winter storm

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. (KCTV) - The Missouri Department of Transportation is preparing for the worst as a winter storm approaches this weekend.

In a press conference Thursday morning, top engineers said that this could be the largest storm to hit the region in recent years.

“We want everyone to stay home Sunday and possibly Monday, too, if you can work from home,” said Matt Killion, who is the assistant district engineer for MoDot Kansas City. “We anticipate crews will be out Saturday treating the roads as necessary and staying out until the roads are mostly clear.”

Killion said they are down hundreds of employees. To fill the gaps, they’re bringing in people from out of state, different departments and people who have retired.

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They’re asking for patience in advance, saying the staffing shortage will make clearing the roads take longer. The staff will work rotating 12-hour shifts until the roads are clear.

“If the storm comes together like some are saying, it will take us some time to clear the roads on Monday and Tuesday with those cold temperatures on the backend,” Killion said.

The biggest concern for them right now is not knowing what Mother Nature will throw at us.

“The uncertainty of the forecast and the many different types of precipitation that we will see, that’s my concern,” Killion said. “An Ice response is much different than a snow response or a freezing rain presents different problems with downed trees, having to clear trees off roads that may have fallen. Are buildings without power? Those are some of the different factors.”

Killion encouraged everyone to prepare for the worst ahead of the weekend. Go out and get supplies that you need and stock up your car.

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