Winter storm results in two deaths on roadways, numerous school closings

A massive winter storm continues to impact Southeast Missouri, closing area schools and resulting in numerous traffic accidents, including two deaths.

The heaviest amounts of snowfall and sleet began falling around 2 p.m. on Monday in Cape Girardeau. Three hours later police reported at least 18 traffic accidents in the city - including two involving police cars. Cape Girardeau police said no accidents have occurred this morning. Scott County emergency management officials reported an array of accidents on Monday in the southern part of the county, which was hit the hardest by freezing rain.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reported fatalities resulting from traffic accidents in New Madrid and Wayne counties.

At around 10:10 p.m. Sunday, Jeremy D. Matzker, 19, of Patterson, Mo., was traveling on Highway 34 three miles east of Piedmont, Mo., when his 1999 Pontiac ran off the roadway and struck an embankment and a tree. Wayne County Coroner Allen Berner pronounced him dead at the scene 25 minutes later.

And at 1:50 p.m. Monday, Willie B. Love, 51, of Cairo, Ill., lost control of his 2004 Ford when he slid on an icy U.S. 60 near Sikeston, Mo., and crossed a median, striking a 2007 Freightliner driven by Bruce A. Lench of Long Lane, Mo. New Madrid County Coroner Jim McSpadden pronounced Love dead at the scene at 4 p.m. Two passengers in the Freightliner sustained injuries.

On Monday, a number of area schools closed or dismissed early. This morning, several schools have announced a late start or closure. Schools that have notified the Southeast Missourian of their closure are Scott City schools, Kelly schools in Benton, Mo., Notre Dame Regional High School, St. Ambrose in Chaffee, Mo., Leopold, St. Vincent de Paul and Cape Christian School. The Southeast Missouri State University campus in Malden, Mo., will have a 10 a.m. start.

Counties such as Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Perry, Scott Stoddard and Wayne in Missouri and Alexander and Union in Illinois had originally been under a winter storm warning until 6 a.m. However, that has been extended to 9 a.m. today.

The National Weather Service said that snow and sleet will continue across Southeast Missouri throughout the early morning hours before gradually transitioning to a mixture of freezing rain and sleet. Snow and sleet accumulations may average one to two inches, with three inches possible in some locations. Ice accumulations in the boothill could result in ice accumulations of less than one-fourth of an inch.

Cape Girardeau is expected to receive snow and sleet before 9 a.m. before changing over to freezing rain and sleet between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. While little or no ice accumulation is expected, accumulation of snow and sleet of less than a half inch is possible. The chance of precipitation is 80 percent. Tonight a 30 percent chance of freezing rain, mainly after midnight, is possible.

The weather service is advising motorists not to travel today if possible, as they expect travel conditions to remain hazardous throughout Southeast Missouri.

Look for any additional updates later in the day at semissourian.com and a full report in Wednesday's Southeast Missourian.