Louisville snowstorm keeps private plow drivers working round the clock

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The heavy snow blanketing the region is proving to be a bonanza for private snow plow drivers, many of whom are working tirelessly to clear neighborhood streets, office parking lots, and apartment complexes.

For Anthony Borcherding, owner of A&B Lawncare, he's been at it nonstop since the snow began.

"I'm like a crime fighter, a snow warrior," Borcherding said with a weary smile. "I’m out here doing the work when I should be home with my family."

Running on little sleep, Borcherding started preparing for the storm by pre-salting on Saturday. By late Monday afternoon, he had just finished plowing an apartment complex and was gearing up to spread more salt before temperatures dropped further.

"It freezes everything up," he explained. "Not only do I have to worry about the snow and ice and getting everything done, but I also have to make sure my truck can handle it all."

As he moved on to plow the parking lot of an auto parts store, Borcherding noted that the salt applied over the weekend was making his job easier, helping to lift the snow more effectively.

Across Louisville, Dale Schwieman was dealing with a different set of challenges.

"I do the things the big plows can’t get to," Schwieman said as he tackled a job at Selena’s parking lot in east Louisville.

"They can’t plow this lot because it’s stone," he explained. "So, I have to clear the snow without using a big plow."

Schwieman’s snow blower, though three years old, still looks brand new, a testament to the relatively mild winters in recent years. But this storm has changed that.

"On my way to this job, I got two more calls," Schwieman shared. "I told them I’ll get there by 2 in the morning. I’m getting a little old for 24-hour shifts, but that’s just how it is in winter."

For these drivers, winter’s fury means long hours but also an opportunity to make the most of the season.

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