By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – An approaching snow storm could slow down recovery efforts from the two ice storms that hit Missouri within a week's time.
Governor Matt Blunt doesn't think the expected snowfall will cause as much disruption as the ice did, but he says any substantial amount could hamper power crews working to restore electricity.
"The last number that I saw was around 70,000 Missourians still without power...most of those now are part of electric co-ops and some Empire electric customers in southwest Missouri," Blunt said.
Outages are also still being reported in the St. Joseph and Maryville areas.
Meanwhile, St. Louis-based Ameren UE says all of its central Missouri customers have power again.
The situation has improved enough that some National Guard troops have been sent home.
"In a few cases, the local agencies have said, 'Thank you for the Guard's help and support...it made a big difference,' but their services are no longer needed, so Barton County, for example, those Guard troops have been released, but we still have a substantial presence of the Missouri National Guard in Northwest Missouri," Blunt said.
The National Weather Service is predicting up to seven inches of snow between Interstates 70 and 44, and up to three inches north and south of that region.