Delta, Northwest cancel flights as area prepares for storm

The National Weather Service is predicting freezing rain this afternoon through Sunday.

Delta/Comair Air Lines has canceled all of its arriving and departing Springfield flights until approximately 9 a.m. Sunday, and Northwest Airlines has canceled all of its local flights as well. All other airlines at Springfield-Branson National Airport were operating normally as of this afternoon.

City of Springfield Public Works crews are prepared to work into the evening, according to a Greene County news release. Crews will begin pre-treating streets when the rain stops or when freezing rain begins to develop.

Greene County Highway Department snowplows and salt spreaders also are loaded with crews ready to respond to icy road conditions.

Up-to-date road conditions are available on the Missouri Department of Transportation Web site, www.modot.org. A color-coded map updated every 30 minutes shows highways as wet, dry, partly covered, covered or closed.

If City Utilities customers experience power outages or downed power lines, they are encouraged to call (417) 863-9000.

The Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management has issued a list of safety tips for the coming storm:

• Keep a battery-powered radio with extra batteries on hand;

• Stock up on nonperishable foods, drinking water and medical supplies;

• Keep snow shovels, rock salt and sand on hand;

• Fill up vehicle gas tanks;

• Carry a winter kit in each vehicle that includes an ice scraper, blankets, winter clothes, a radio, a flashlight, batteries, water, energy snacks, jumper cables and a bright-colored cloth to tie to an antenna in an emergency;

• Carry a shovel and sand or shingles in each vehicle to give tires traction on ice; and

• Secure firewood and fuel for heaters and generators.