Weekend Ice Storm Leaves Campus, Roads Dangerous
Heather St. Clair/for the Muleskinner
Issue date: 1/18/07 Section: News
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Missouri weather:
One day, you are wearing a T-shirt, and the next, your car is buried under two inches of compacted snow and ice.
Some students panicked when they awoke for class and discovered the winter wonderland, as they feared missing classes.
Others sipped coffee in front of the television, still in their pajamas and wondered about the likelihood of classes being canceled.
But as the school closing list passed by in alphabetical order across the bottom of the T.V. screen, it finally set in that they had to go to class.
Some commuters poured gallons of hot water over windshields and doors to melt the ice, which eventually came back. Walkers bundled up and prepared for the worst.
Many were concerned about missing class and ventured out onto the icy streets. Those who made it to campus may have found conditions worse than those who couldn't get their cars out of their driveways.
The campus was like a sheet of ice. One minute, you could be walking gingerly up or down an outside stairs or along one of the many slopes on campus, and the next, you could be on your back, surrounded by books, pencils and cell phone that you dropped while falling.
The storm kept most of Warrensburg closed during the weekend, but by Monday, main roads were passable, although many side streets were still solid ice.
How many storm-related accidents were there in Johnson County? The Missouri Highway Patrol investigated accidents involving 40 injuries, one of them fatal, in Johnson county from Friday through Sunday. The Johnson County Sheriff's office handled others.
Sue Whitman, public information officer at Western Missouri Medical Center, said she didn't have numbers, but knew many people have been treated in the emergency room for accidents and injuries from the ice storm.
Ambulances responded to the campus for injuries of those who had fallen.
"I actually fell in the same spot twice," said UCM student Daniel Chapman. "My roommate and I were walking in front of the library, and there was a manhole [cover] iced over. The first time, I kind of caught myself, but the second time, my feet went up over my head."
Many commuters could not move their cars.
"My windshield wipers were useless, because as soon as rain or snow hit my windshield, it was frozen," said student MacKenzie Edwards.
It sounds like students have more than grades to worry about due to the weather. Mother nature is teaching her own lesson, and it comes with a hard test to pass.
One day, you are wearing a T-shirt, and the next, your car is buried under two inches of compacted snow and ice.
Some students panicked when they awoke for class and discovered the winter wonderland, as they feared missing classes.
Others sipped coffee in front of the television, still in their pajamas and wondered about the likelihood of classes being canceled.
But as the school closing list passed by in alphabetical order across the bottom of the T.V. screen, it finally set in that they had to go to class.
Some commuters poured gallons of hot water over windshields and doors to melt the ice, which eventually came back. Walkers bundled up and prepared for the worst.
Many were concerned about missing class and ventured out onto the icy streets. Those who made it to campus may have found conditions worse than those who couldn't get their cars out of their driveways.
The campus was like a sheet of ice. One minute, you could be walking gingerly up or down an outside stairs or along one of the many slopes on campus, and the next, you could be on your back, surrounded by books, pencils and cell phone that you dropped while falling.
The storm kept most of Warrensburg closed during the weekend, but by Monday, main roads were passable, although many side streets were still solid ice.
How many storm-related accidents were there in Johnson County? The Missouri Highway Patrol investigated accidents involving 40 injuries, one of them fatal, in Johnson county from Friday through Sunday. The Johnson County Sheriff's office handled others.
Sue Whitman, public information officer at Western Missouri Medical Center, said she didn't have numbers, but knew many people have been treated in the emergency room for accidents and injuries from the ice storm.
Ambulances responded to the campus for injuries of those who had fallen.
"I actually fell in the same spot twice," said UCM student Daniel Chapman. "My roommate and I were walking in front of the library, and there was a manhole [cover] iced over. The first time, I kind of caught myself, but the second time, my feet went up over my head."
Many commuters could not move their cars.
"My windshield wipers were useless, because as soon as rain or snow hit my windshield, it was frozen," said student MacKenzie Edwards.
It sounds like students have more than grades to worry about due to the weather. Mother nature is teaching her own lesson, and it comes with a hard test to pass.
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