Adair Digging Out From Under Deep Snow

Craig Day, News On 6

ADAIR, Oklahoma -- In several parts of Oklahoma, people are dealing with more than 20 inches of snow. That's on top of the record-breaking snowfall from our blizzard last week.

In Adair in Mayes County, it's no fun. Everyone wants to see more of the sun.

Five hours in his truck, and Riley Chaney is still stuck. It is bitterly cold, and waiting to get out is getting old.

"It was just that quick – boom," said stranded driver Riley Chaney. "I hit a bump back there; it got me."

For wrecker operators, the scene along Highway 28 east of Adair is one they've seen dozens of times since last week's blizzard hit - and now another 20 more inches of snow doesn't help.

While the snow in many places is measured in feet, recovery will be measured in highway miles. ODOT crews are racking up a lot of them. They have many more ahead.

We found some folks outside the tag office in Adair working to clear snow. They were waving and cheering as snow plow drivers traveled down Highway 28.

"I'm ready for summer, ready for summer," said Adair resident Aaron Nelson. "I can put up with 100 degrees, 100 percent humidity more than this stuff."

David Gann is supposed to be on vacation. Some vacation it's turning out to be.

"I was hoping to do a little more than shovel snow for vacation, but sometimes I guess that happens," he said.

There are very few breaks for people who want to get anywhere close to getting back to normal. Tow truck drivers know that first hand.

"Constantly having problems with the trucks because of the cold weather," said Raymond Love of G & H Wrecker. "This morning, they were gelled up, and it's been pretty rough."

While heavily traveled roads are improving, they can still be problematic. Rural highways are much worse. Many are still snow packed.

"Hazardous, really hazardous," said Mayes County resident Larry Day. "If a guy ain't got to be out, you shouldn't be."

For Riley Chaney, his work day is shot, but at least he's finally out and back on the road again.

But Oklahoma's road to recovery will take some time.

"Stay home if you can," said Riley Chaney, a stranded driver.

The people I talked to today say they've seen some big snowfalls, but never ones like this so close together.