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Crews prep roads in St. Charles, St. Louis counties for 'sneaky' snowstorm

Across Wentzville, St. Charles County and St. Louis County on Tuesday evening, 5 On Your Side wanted to see what road conditions were like for drivers.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Driving through Wentzville, St. Charles County and Saint Louis County on Tuesday evening, 5 On Your Side wanted to see what conditions on the road were like for drivers. 

Most importantly, it was to see how any of that snow was going to be cleared during the commute home from work.

Snow started to develop at about 2 p.m. near Lincoln County and Troy then started to impact streets to the southeast. 

Across the region, snowplow drivers were getting ready for what they call "the show." 

"This storm is a sneaky wrestling partner," Kevin Killeen with St. Charles County communications said. "It's coming in with a lot of rain that would prevent throwing down a lot of salt or pre-treat. Then, right around the time that everyone is going home it's going to hit us with the snow. But we're ready."

St. Charles County began putting salt in some of their 40 trucks on Tuesday afternoon in preparation. Those vehicles are charged with clearing their 1,800 miles of roads in St. Charles. 

It was a major task Saint Louis County undertook with 112 plows of their own. Though, they're still down a few drivers.

"We are short of operators, roughly about 35," said Dave Wrone, public information manger for St. Louis County. "That's obviously not optimal, but we have sufficient personnel to get the job done and get the roads clear."

St. Charles County is also looking for snow plow drivers as winter weather picks up. 

"The crews, they're sort of like soldiers ready for battle," Killeen said. "They haven't really had the big one, so everybody is eager to take on this wrestling partner and win."

To learn more about being a snow plow driver in St. Louis or St. Charles counties, click the links. 

With the snow picking up even more this week, the American Red Cross reminded folks how crucial it is to be prepared with water, blankets and snacks in your car.

"Making sure that you're planning ahead," said Beth Elders, the executive director of the Greater St. Louis chapter for the American Red Cross. "That you're not speeding, that you're driving appropriately and continuing to work with those state and local officials to monitor your road conditions."

St. Charles County is planning to have its plow crews out overnight to maintain safe road conditions.

Both counties and the Red Cross are reminding drivers to be patient with the snowplows as they do their work. Plus, with your fellow drivers out on the roads as snow continues in January.

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