The winter storm arrived as predicted on Sunday, dropping nine inches of snowfall and more to most areas of the Republic-Times readership area and a smattering of light snow continuing through the evening. The Winter Storm Warning for Monroe County was extended until midnight. A Wind Chill Warning takes effect 9 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday at noon.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department is fielding an increasing number of calls from drivers who have gotten stuck, and deputies are urging all residents to stay home.

“Please stay off the roads because of the dangerous driving conditions due to snow drifting,” said MCSD Sgt. Jim Lansing.

The sheriff’s department also reported significant drifting all along Route 3, and has had to shut down secondary roads that are totally impassable.

Country Club Lane in Waterloo is closed after as many as 11 cars were off the roadway at one time, and Kaskaskia Road is closed at Route 3. In addition, a road district truck became stuck on Kopp Road, and the entrance to Vandebrook subdivision south of Waterloo is totally blocked. Monroe County EMA Director Ryan Weber also reported emergency vehicles getting stuck.

“Tow trucks, snow plows and police cars are stuck trying to help people that have not listened to warnings and stayed off the roads,” Weber said. “The temps tonight will be life threatening if you get stuck and can not get out. Please stay home and off of the roads so the emergency crews can do their jobs.”

Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith said, “As fast as our road crews can clear a road it gets covered up again. They’ll be working all night.”

At about 7:45 p.m., low-hanging, live power lines were reported on KK Road in Monroe City.

Monroe County EMS is operating on “disaster mode,” which means they will only transport patients with life-threatening medical issues.

There will be no trash pickup Monday for Waterloo residents; it has been rescheduled for Tuesday. Residents are asked not to put their bins out until Tuesday so they don’t impede the work of the snow plows.

Monday closures

Business/Community

Republic-Times office (email rtedit@htc.net with any news or editorial inquiries, as well as additional closures)

Monroe County Courthouse (County Board meeting rescheduled for Tuesday morning)

Monroe County Health Department (all appointments will be rescheduled)

Farm Bureau office

Human Support Services Day Training, Waterloo

Human Service Center, Red Bud — no bus service

Senior Centers in Waterloo, Columbia, Millstadt, Red Bud

Monroe Randolph Transit District

Morrison-Talbott Library, Waterloo

Columbia Public Library — opening at noon

Waterloo Animal Hospital

First National Bank — all branches

Schneider’s Quality Meats

Monroe Physical Therapy

Columbia National Bank

Daycare/Preschool

Lighthouse Learning Centers in Waterloo and Columbia

Children First Learning Center, Waterloo

Daytime Discoveries, Valmeyer

Columbia Kinder College

Carrot Patch Child Care Center

Creative Kids, Columbia

Hilltop Kids Learning Center, Columbia

School

Perandoe Special Education District, Red Bud

Career Center of Southern Illinois (formerly Beck Area Career Center)

Waterloo School District

Columbia School District

Valmeyer School District

Gibault Catholic High School

Dupo School District

Prairie du Rocher School District

Red Bud School District

Millstadt School District

St. James Catholic School, Millstadt