A large part of my family live in southeast Missouri .  My uncle is a Minister in Sikeston, MO. .. my mother lives in Dexter, MO. .. my Grandmother in Dexter, MO. .. and many others live in Poplar Bluff, MO.  

 They were hit hard by the ice storm last Tuesday & Wednesday.  Mother called Sunday night to let me know that the power was finally on.  It had been 5 days.  Fortunately, they had a generator... and an "RV to escape if need be" she said.  My uncle said that they had a small generator and a heater that provide enough warmth for one room of their house to "stay alive" he laughed(kind of kidding, but not entirely). 

 When I saw the storm developing on our computer projections the weekend of January 23 & 24... it looked so much like the storm that hit northeast Kansas in December of 2007.  I called many of them during the weekend to let them know the same things that we announce on air... "get groceries now", "make sure you have fuel for your generators" &  "be ready for several days of longer without power".  For northeast Kansas ... this storm missed us well to the south.  We expected a few inches of snow, but got less than one inch here.   

I do recommend that everyone be prepared for this type of storm.  You must be prepared before it hits... because once limbs and power lines begin to cover roadways... you may not be able to get out of your home for several days.

<h3> For reminders on how to prepare for dangerous winter storms... use the links provided below. </h3>

<a href="http://www.wibw.com/weather/headlines/15384686.html" target="_blank">Click Here To Protect Your Pet During Winter Storms</a>

<a href="http://www.wibw.com/weather/headlines/15384746.html" target="_blank">Click Here To Stay Safe In Your Home During Winter Storms</a>

<a href="http://www.wibw.com/weather/headlines/15384731.html" target="_blank">Click Here To Learn About Generator Safety</a>

<a href="http://www.wibw.com/weather/headlines/15384706.html" target="_blank">Click Here For Information On Food Safety During Winter Storms</a>