Unlike the F5 tornado that blew through Central Oklahoma in 1999, there was adequate warning about the Christmas disaster of 2000. Clear radar pictures flashed across television screens statewide for almost a week warning of the impending storm approaching. Even though the results of the meeting of cold and warm fronts covered much of the nation, it was Oklahoma that was caught between the rush of warm south rain from the Gulf and the freezing snow from the north. The results were evident Christmas morning when a crystal Christmas was soon to turn white. Most of the residents of the state canceled travel plans and opted to stay home with their families. By noon, more than an inch of solid ice covered the ground, fences and highline poles causing at least half of the state to be without power. The ice was followed by a foot or more of snow and then more ice. On Dec. 27, former President Clinton declared the state a disaster area. According to Bill Bacharach of the Oklahoma governor’s office, this allowed a mechanism by which communities and municipalities could receive financial assistance to repair the damage caused by the winter storm. Two weeks after New Year’s day, half the residents of the state were still without power and heat. Gov. Frank Keating reported 23 deaths caused by the icy blast. The Southeast part of the state was hit the hardest, but it became apparent this was not an isolated event when heavy equipment involved in construction became involved in clearing the ice. The snow hid a thick layer of deadly ice and, although it did not appear treacherous, parking lots and streets became riddled with icy land mines for both pedestrians and motorists. Jerry Morris and Associates of Oklahoma City were involved in restoration work at the capitol when the storm hit. The oil derrick placed directly in front of the state capitol was once a working derrick, but as it became dormant, the state adopted it as a symbol of Oklahoma Heritage. The state had contracted for repair and restoration to be done on the derrick. Thus, much of the surrounding ground had been pulled up to make some of the repairs. When the storm hit, Jerry Morris and Associates were removing the concrete deck around the derrick in order to replace it with a more aesthetic looking one. With the parking lot demolished and bare ground exposed when the ice arrived, there was little else they could do except clean up in order to proceed on the project. The Volvo L70C used by Jerry Morris and Associates made quick work of moving snow and ice with its 5-cu.-yd. (3.8 cu m) bucket. Morris purchased the Volvo at an auction about six months earlier, according to Skip Minney, corporate secretary. Since the machine is fairly new to the company they are still discovering its benefits with each new project. Other independent contractors were removing ice from government office parking lots with a Komatsu WA420 front end loader and two International trucks searching for a place to put tons of ice and snow. The Komatsu’s wet-disc brakes for all four wheels helped the driver maintain control. Cars zoomed around the equipment as soon as an area was cleared. However, the timing of the storm was a positive, since the week after Christmas is generally a slow time for government, business and retail. Still many businesses were forced to shut down because of the lack of power or because of the inability to remove the slippery snow covered ice. Therefore, even government business was slow, except for emergency disaster relief. An illustration of the fierce power of the benign appearing snow covered ice occurred when the Komatsu WA420 dumped a bucketful of ice into the bed of a waiting International truck causing the entire truck to shake from side-to-side, tossing the driver into the passenger seat. Just as it seemed life would resume at a normal pace, another 4 to 5 in. of snow covered the state during the following New Year’s weekend. While these amounts of snow seem comparatively small, the freezing rain followed by snow is always dreaded winter possibility. Hospitals and doctors offices saw an increase of head and hip injuries due to falling and auto glass repair businesses also saw an increase in work due to damage from large sheets of ice atop vehicles. As the sun started loosening the snow covered ice on tops of cars, trucks and vans, the huge sheets were letting go and crashing into oncoming or following cars. Heavy equipment operators remained busy during the storm even though many of their projects were shut down. Equipment was used to repair lines, remove debris, retrieve vehicles and to bring life back to the state. Due to the debris caused by these recent disasters, heavy equipment used for clean up and repair is becoming a common site. Equipment lines the highways as storm damage is repaired and its efforts seem to have given Oklahomans a new appreciation for the power and tasks of heavy equipment and its operators. This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.
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