Rapid City Cleaning Up After Blizzard

Rapid City, SD

Almost two feet of snow has fallen in Rapid City since the flakes began to fly on Monday afternoon.  Now comes the task of cleaning up.  Whether you're pushing a shovel or driving a snow plow, it's a lot of work.

Street crews have had a long couple of nights, trying to stay ahead of a storm that dumped more than 20-inches of snow in places.  And their work is far from finished.

"We will be at it all night tonight and into tomorrow, and it will probably take the better part of tomorrow.  There's a lot of snow to move," Rapid City Streets Supervisor Don Brumbaugh said.

The storm broke a city record for the most snow accumulation in a 24-hour period.

"There's a lot of snow.  Obviously, we've got everybody that's available, both men and equipment, out there working on it," Brumbaugh said.

It also makes for heavy lifting for homeowners.

"Pretty good workout, yes.  I'll be changing my t-shirt, sweatshirt, and jumping in the shower," shoveling homeowner Cleland Battista said.

Although forecasters predicted heavy snowfall days in advance, the snow makes for a drastic change in scenery.

"This last Friday, I was golfing with a t-shirt on so I didn't expect to see this much snow but it's welcome moisture that we need," Battista said.

In spite of the inconvenience, many people are trying to look at the bright side of the storm.

"Well, I strongly believe that the weather is only as bad as your attitude.  And I've got a great attitude so I'll get out and enjoy it every chance that I get," cross country skier Chris Marshall said.

"We're real happy about it as far as the lawn goes, gardens, and the spring flowers," Battista said.

And with the temperature expected to rise, the snow isn't anticipated to stick around for very long.

"What we're searching for is dry pavement, that's what we're trying to achieve and if we get a little help from the sun it's a good thing," Brumbaugh said.

Rapid City wasn't the only community in the Black Hills to see heavy snow.  Spearfish got 19-inches, Hot Springs saw 28-inches, and Deadwood reported a whopping 30-inch total.

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