Heavy snow covers Clarendon 18″ deep

Clarendon got its white Christmas. The day after was white too, and so was the day after that.

Reports from the Donley County Sheriff’s Office put the total snowfall on December 25 and 26 at about 18 inches, making travel extremely hazardous and keeping deputies and reserve deputies busy with rescues.

“People call to ask about conditions and you tell them it’s dangerous and that travel is discouraged,” said dispatcher Vicki Burrell. “Then they will say, ‘Well, do you think I can make it?’”

Burrell said more than a hundred people had called the sheriff’s office inquiring about condition to either come through or leave Clarendon. Others got stranded and called for help.

Local deputies have been hauling people out in 4-wheel drive military surplus vehicles, and Burrell said stranded travelers have found refuge at the Church of Christ, the First United Methodist Church, Owens Bed & Breakfast, and the First Baptist Church’s Downtown Ministry Center. The VFW Hall was also made available, she said.

Local wrecking services were running, but Burrell said, “We could have used a lot more.”

Tuesday night alone saw six wrecks, she said.

Official measurements put the city’s snowfall at 12 to 15 inches, according to Tommie Saye, a cooperative observer for the National Weather Service.

Six inches fell on Christmas day and night, Saye said. Another six inches fell Tuesday.

“The snow blew and drifted, so you could easily say we had 15 inches in some places,” he said.

Total precipitation was 1.31 inches officially.

State and city crews stayed busy trying to keep major thoroughfares open, but travel was still strongly discouraged as of Wednesday afternoon.

As of press time, forecasters in Amarillo were predicting slightly warmer weather for Wednesday afternoon and Thursday with a chance for more snowfall on Saturday and Sunday.