Yankton Area Prepares For Winter Storm

by Jill Johnson
February 20, 2013 6:08 PM


South Dakota is bracing for a winter storm. Most of southern South Dakota can expect to see anywhere from three to six inches of snow. Meanwhile, Yankton could possibly see even more than six inches. However, city and state officials say whatever comes their way, they'll be ready.

Yankton Public Services Mgr. Dave Leyden said,"The last I heard was four to eight so that's what we're kind of preparing on and anticipating."

Leyden says his crew is ready to go no matter how much snow the city of Yankton gets.
    
Leyden said, "Even fourteen inches, we can pretty much have Yankton curb to curb, in about 12 to 14 hours."

He say it's just a matter of checking the equipment and fueling up. When the storm hits, that's when they'll make a decision, lay down a mix, stick with just the salt, or tell the plows to head out.

Leyden said, "When we have to go out and plow, they hit it agressively and we go right at it."

Just down the road, the South Dakota Department of Transportation, is doing the same.

Yankton Area Engineer with the South Dakota Department of Transportation Ron Petersen said,"We're getting all the trucks serviced to make sure they're road ready for the next few days, getting the trucks loaded up with salt, the loaders ready."

However, this department operates on much more massive scale. The Yankton Area DOT covers eight counties, the entire southeast corner of the state. That's 600 miles of road, area engineer Ron Petersen has to worry about.

Petersen said, "We can put about 40 trucks on the road if we need to during the storm."

Petersen says his crew will typically come in at around 4 am. Before the morning rush is about to begin.

Petersen said, "We're out there getting things cleaned up, salted out if needed by the time the commuters hit the road to go to work."