Osage County Prepares For Winter Storm

By Craig Day, The News On 6

PAWHUSKA, OK -- Osage County is under a state of emergency.

The Pawhuska Hometown Foods Store has been packed Friday as customers stock up as a spring snowstorm heads their way.

"I'm not happy with the snow," store clerk Kim Schapansky said. "I want it to be spring. I don't like the cold."

There's a lot not to like. The storm is already causing problems as it barrels across northwestern Oklahoma -- closing roads, knocking out power and disappointing people who already had their minds set on spring.

Shoppers want to be ready when the temperatures drop and the snow begins falling in Pawhuska.

"I don't drive in snow because I'm a danger to myself and everybody on the road so I won't have to leave the house," Pawhuska resident Flora Quinata said.

Osage County crews are getting ready to treat roads for drivers who will have to get out. The area is expected to get up to 10 inches of snow.

"We're ready," said Clarence Brantley, Osage County commissioner. "We're anticipating the worst."

County crews are loading up dump trucks and checking equipment. They will work around the clock putting down a gravel mix.

"We have a very hilly country here, and it works very well on our hills," Brantley said. "We mix sand with it. It works faster, and it's a little bit safer for people to drive up and down these hills."

All of this gravel sand mix adds up to 100 tons worth. Road crews in only one Osage County district will put twice as much out on area roads before the snowstorm is over."

It's hoped that much won't be needed, but by the looks of things out west, it will be.