The Missouri Department of Transportation crews who will plow Macon County's state highways this winter include many drivers with little winter experience, according to the department.
"Going into this winter season, 17% of our snowplow operators have less than one year of experience, and more than 40% have less than three years of experience," MoDOT Chief Safety and Operations Officer Becky Allmeroth said in an Oct. 13 statement announcing the department's annual winter drill. "The past four years did not include many significant winter storms, making this training crucial for our drivers. All snowplow operators will drive their routes to get familiar with the details of the road without any snow and ice."
The drill was set for Oct. 13-15. MoDOT said its roughly 3,000 employees who clear roads and bridges statewide would respond to a simulated forecast of significant snow across Missouri, with the department's emergency operations centers active and all winter operations employees sent to their trucks. The department also said every truck, motor grader, snow blower, and tractor is inspected and calibrated.
The reminder comes as state agencies mark Missouri Winter Weather Preparedness Week, which runs Nov. 2-6. The National Weather Service and the State Emergency Management Agency are sharing a daily safety topic, beginning Monday with winter weather terms and moving on to ice safety, snow safety, extreme cold, and planning for snow, ice, and cold.
MoDOT plows state highways in a set order of priority, according to the department.
Interstates and higher-volume highways come first, with interstates plowed and treated first. On those routes, crews plow and treat around the clock until all lanes are back to near normal after a storm ends. Lower-volume numbered and lettered state routes come second, with the goal of opening them to two-way traffic and treating hills, curves, and intersections as soon as possible after the storm. In both groups, roads with more traffic are handled first. Shoulders, bridge edges, and interchanges are cleaned up afterward during normal working hours.
MoDOT lists two maintenance facilities in Macon County, one on U.S. 63 in Macon and one on Route P in New Cambria. Both are part of the department's Northeast District, which is based in Hannibal.
Chariton Media Group asked MoDOT's Northeast District on Oct. 29 how many plow trucks and drivers will be based in Macon County this winter, how many of those drivers are new, which county routes are cleared first, and how much salt is stockpiled for the county. Chariton Media Group did not receive a response in time for publication.
Statewide, MoDOT spent more than $46 million on winter operations last winter and used 67,000 tons of salt, 1.3 million gallons of salt brine, and 152,000 gallons of beet juice, according to the department.
MoDOT also hires emergency operators to drive plows during storms. Applicants must be at least 18 and hold a valid Class A or B commercial driver's license with no air brake restriction, and the department lists pay of $22.91 to $28.37 an hour depending on experience. Applications are accepted on a continuing basis at mocareers.mo.gov/modot.
Preliminary Missouri State Highway Patrol figures show more than 3,699 crashes on Missouri roads during snow, sleet, hail, or ice in 2025, with 656 people injured and nine killed, according to the State Emergency Management Agency.
Drivers can check road conditions on MoDOT's Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org or its smartphone app, or by calling 888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636), which is staffed 24 hours a day. State officials advise drivers to clear all snow and ice from their vehicles, slow down, leave extra following distance, and stay in the vehicle with seat belts fastened if it slides off the road.