Cole County/Jefferson City Office of Emergency Management

01/25/2026

Live in Cole County for Winter Storm Fern

01/24/2026

**ALERT HAS BEEN CANCELLED**

📢 🚨URGENT ENERGY CONSERVATION ADVISORY — COLE COUNTY RESIDENTS 📢 🚨

Due to extremely high electricity demand across the Midwest and dangerously cold winter weather, the regional grid operator MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) has issued an emergency request for energy conservation. Energy providers, including Ameren, are asking customers to immediately reduce electricity usage to help prevent rolling blackouts or service interruptions.

🔗 View the full Ameren advisory here:
👉 https://ameren.mediaroom.com/2026-01-24-Regional-grid-operator-calls-for-customers-to-reduce-energy-usage

👉 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU:
Electricity demand is at critical levels. If demand is not reduced, the region could experience rolling blackouts or brownouts. Conservation now helps protect essential services and vulnerable populations.

📉 PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO CONSERVE ENERGY:

• Lower your thermostat a few degrees
• Cover drafty windows and weatherize where possible
• Unplug or turn off non-essential appliances
• Reduce the temperature setting on electric water heaters
• Avoid using high-energy appliances (washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens) until demand decreases

⚠️ Every action matters. Community-wide conservation helps prevent outages and keeps power available for critical needs.

📌 Stay Informed:
Follow Cole County/Jefferson City Office of Emergency Management for continued updates throughout the winter storm.

📌 Cole County Emergency Services will continue to monitor conditions and share updates as they become available.

Thank you for doing your part to keep Cole County safe and powered.

ST. LOUIS (Jan. 24, 2026) – The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the regional grid operator, has informed Midwest energy companies, including Ameren, that customers need to...

01/24/2026

🚨 Winter Storm Fern Has Begun 🚨

Winter Storm Fern is now impacting Cole County and Jefferson City. Below is a snapshot of MoDOT’s live road conditions from traveler.modot.org, showing roads already becoming covered and hazardous.

⚠️ Road conditions will continue to deteriorate as the storm progresses.
If you must be out, use extreme caution. If you do not need to travel, please stay home and off the roads.

📸 We need your help:
Send us a message with photos or videos of what you’re seeing in your area of Cole County or Jefferson City. Your reports help us share real-time conditions with the community.

📲 Stay connected & prepared:
Make sure you’re signed up for Smart911. It allows first responders to access critical information during an emergency and helps keep you and your family safer. Sign up today — it’s free and easy.

👉 Follow Cole County Emergency Management for continued updates and live coverage as this storm unfolds.

Stay safe, stay informed, and check on your neighbors. ❄️🧊

01/24/2026

Cole County coverage of winter storm Fern

01/23/2026

❄️ IMPORTANT NUMBERS – WINTER WEATHER SAFETY ❄️

As winter weather impacts our area, knowing who to call—and when—matters.

🚨 Call 911 ONLY for true emergencies, such as:
• Serious injuries
• Traffic accidents with injuries
• Fires
• Medical emergencies
• Carbon monoxide alarms
• Situations where immediate help is needed

📞 For non-life-threatening situations, please use the Non-Emergency Line: (573) 634-6400
This helps keep 911 lines open for those who need immediate assistance.
• Minor crashes with no injuries
• Traffic hazards
• Downed power lines
• Situations that are not immediately life-threatening

Please stay off the roads if you can.
Unnecessary travel increases crashes and slows:
• Road crews working to improve conditions
• Emergency responders trying to reach critical calls

⚠️ Be aware: Emergency response times may be delayed due to hazardous road conditions.

Check road conditions:
MoDOT — 1-888-ASK-MODOT or traveler.modot.org

🏠 Shelter information: Call 211
If you find yourself without power or are in need of an emergency shelter, please call 211 to find the closest shelter to you.

📱 Prepare before an emergency happens.
Sign up for Smart911 to provide dispatchers with important information—so they have what they need before responders are sent.

Thank you for helping keep our community and first responders safe.

Follow us for more updates throughout the weekend.

01/22/2026

🚨 WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT 🚨

A major winter storm will impact our area this weekend, bringing heavy snowfall, dangerous cold, and extremely hazardous travel conditions. Local snow fall totals are estimated at 6" to 15".

What does a Winter Storm Warning mean?
This means confidence is high that significant winter weather will occur, including accumulating snow (potentially 5 inches or more) and conditions that can make travel dangerous or impossible.

Travel Impacts
• Roads will become snow-covered quickly and remain slick due to very cold temperatures
• Travel will be difficult to dangerous, especially Saturday through Sunday
• If you do not need to travel, stay off the roads
• If you must travel, use extreme caution and expect delays

Emergency Response Impacts
During this storm, emergency personnel may not be able to reach you quickly due to road conditions. Response times could be significantly extended. Please plan accordingly.

Be Prepared
If you must travel, make sure your vehicle has an emergency kit, including:
• Extra warm clothing and blankets
• Food and water
• Flashlight
• Phone charger
• Medications and any necessary medical supplies

Dangerous Cold & Wind Chills
• Temperatures will be bitterly cold
• Wind chills may reach -10° or colder
• Frostbite and hypothermia can occur quickly — limit time outdoors

Smart911 Can Help
Make sure you’re signed up for Smart911 and your profile is up to date. This allows 911 to see critical information you choose to share—such as medical conditions, medications, and emergency contacts—before responders arrive, helping them assist you more effectively when every minute counts.

👉 Bottom line:
If you don’t need to be out, stay home. Prepare now, check on neighbors, and continue to monitor official updates.

Stay safe, stay weather aware, stay warm.

-Cole County OEM

01/22/2026

JeffCity/ColeCounty MO Critical Weather Alert:

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and
10 inches with locally higher amounts possible.

* WHERE...Portions of south central and southwest Illinois and
central, east central, and southeast Missouri.

* WHEN...From midnight Friday Night to 6 PM CST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible.
The rapid accumulation of snow will make travel extremely difficult,
if not impossible. If travel is necessary, be sure to exercise
extreme caution. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food
and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. In Illinois, the
latest road conditions can be obtained at
www.gettingaroundillinois.com. In Missouri, the latest road
conditions can be obtained at traveler.modot.org/map or by calling
1-888-275-6636.

01/21/2026

🚨 Winter Storm Watch Issued for Cole County🚨

A winter storm is expected to impact the region late Friday - Saturday. While the storm is still too far out to provide a definitive forecast, confidence is increasing that travel impacts are possible in Mid-Missouri. Forecast models over the past 24 hours have shifted the track of the storm farther north, increasing the likelihood of winter weather impacts. As a result, Cole County has been added to a Winter Storm Watch. Now is the time to prepare thoughtfully, not panic. Details will become clearer over the next couple of days, and we will continue to share updates as confidence increases.

✅ DO’S (Smart preparation right now)
• Stay informed by following trusted weather and local government sources.
• Review travel plans later this week and plan alternatives if needed.
• Check your emergency kit (food, water, medications, flashlight, batteries).
• Prepare your vehicle for winter travel (fuel, windshield fluid, emergency items).
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors who may need assistance.

❌ DON’TS (Avoid panic & unnecessary actions)
• Don’t panic-buy food, fuel, or supplies — this is not a blizzard warning or emergency declaration.
• Don’t share or react to extreme or speculative model graphics circulating online.

An additional update will be provided tomorrow afternoon.

Follow us for additional information and to be notified when we go live for current weather/road conditions.

Smart911 gives you the choice to get the alerts you want, while giving first responders vital information when seconds count. Sign up today at smart911.com.

01/16/2026

Cole County snow.

01/12/2026

JeffCity/ColeCounty Urgent Alert: Traffic is delayed in the area of E Mccarty St/Locust St due to an incident. Avoid the area if possible.

01/12/2026

🚨 Urgent Foster or Adoption Needed for Galoshes 🚨

Galoshes has been with us for 933 days — and we would love nothing more than to finally see him find the forever home he deserves.

This sweet, adventurous big baby at heart is quickly running out of time in his current foster home as they will soon be unable to foster anymore. If we can’t find a new foster or adopter soon, he will have no choice but to go into boarding.

Galoshes is full of personality: curious, strong-willed, and intelligent, but also deeply loyal and affectionate with his people. He thrives on connection and is happiest when he’s exploring the world with you or curled up nearby.

What Galoshes needs to succeed:
🐾 Adult-only home
🐾 No cats or small dogs
🐾 Does well with larger dogs after a proper introduction
🐾 Enjoys walks, outdoor time, and having a dog buddy his size
🐾 Doing great with crate training and continuing to improve every day

After 933 days of waiting, Galoshes deserves more than a temporary stop — he deserves a
place to truly call home.

Please help us keep Galoshes out of boarding.
If you can foster, adopt, or share, you are helping give him a chance.💙

📩 Message us or visit our website to learn more about Galoshes.

01/08/2026

JeffCity/ColeCounty Urgent Alert: Traffic back to normal in the area of HWY 54 E/ SANDY FORK RD .